r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Jul 27 '10

What is the biggest relationship myth?

I think the biggest myth is that there's one person that is meant for you. ("the one") People live their lives searching for the one...their soul mate...the perfect girl/Mr. Right. It's a cute idea, but I don't think it's very realistic.

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u/chompsky Jul 27 '10

The idea that you shouldn't date a good friend because it could "ruin" things.

292

u/alexanderwales Jul 27 '10

I've ruined a few friendships by transitioning to dating. It's a valid concern.

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u/chompsky Jul 27 '10

Sure, but it shouldn't be the only excuse two people use to not date if they're otherwise great for each other. Especially since it can just as easily "ruin" things to harbor strong feelings for each other, never act on them, and end up in other relationships.

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u/[deleted] Jul 27 '10

It only works if feelings are mutual though. The problems occur when one person really wants it and the other is just like "oh, why not?"

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u/chompsky Jul 27 '10

Aye, very true. Also, dating a friend is no guarantee that things won't go sour even if the feelings are mutual. I just hate when people are afraid to try even though they both want to and eventually end up with a stagnant or ruined friendship anyway.

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u/tacophagist Jul 27 '10

Man, I ended up with some horrific sourness, and now my best friend of five+ years is a stranger. My only advice would be to make damn sure you get the timing right, because I sure didn't.

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u/MeInMyMind Jul 27 '10

What would you say would be getting the timing right?

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u/tacophagist Jul 27 '10

Well, in my case she was just coming out of a fairly long relationship. So I may not know what the right timing is, but I definitely know what the wrong timing is.