The biggest one = headache

A girlfriend tells me that what I'm doing is insane, that she could never NOT feel jealous after seeing her man flirting with another woman.

I drink too much rose (this needs to stop) and start flirting with a friend at my own party which in turns sparks friends' suspicions.

Yet another girlfriend gives me suspect glances when I start up an innocent conversation with her love interest at a dinner party.

My boyfriend and I have discussed, at great lengths, our ideas of honesty and "openness". We have decided on a relationship without boundries. I find it a bit necessary as we live in different countries. That is to say, I believe that whether or not we told each other we would sustain other sexual relationships on the side. But instead of being sneaky, we are extremely honest with each other. Which in turn, believe it or not, virtually eliminates jealousy, suspicion,

In the beginning, I tested this idea of "honesty" as one tests a frigid body of water. I started by telling him that I slept with my ex while I was back in the states. Then I started telling him about my dates and a few random drunken hook-ups. The point? I would have done this all anyway and the fact that I can be open around him just makes me like him more. Actually, out of the handful of other men I have seen since I've been with him, there is not one that compares. 

But the problem? No one understands. I'm told that I am crazy. My girlfriends, his potes... everyone on the outside of our relationship thinks that what we are doing is just plain horrid. So, you say to yourself, "Who cares what others think??!" But it still affects you, no matter how impermeable you let on to be. To be honest, I'm not sure if being a vegetarian or being in an "open relationship" shocks more people. It seems that when other people realize that I am one or the other they tend to have the same responses:

"Eh, Ben?" 

"That sucks!"

"I Could Never Do That"

And a lengthy conversation of my values and mores ensues. But I suppose that I'm asking for it, being so against the grain and whatnot. I can deal with being interrogated. 

In less than 4 days I am leaving him for 4 months.

In either case, that is to say, if we were open and honest or not, I would most definitely have relations with other males while I was away. But the fact that him and I are open benefits him because it takes away the fun of being "naughty", which is the only reason to screw around while you have someone to have sex with regularly. For me, with my accepting loverOther guys just don't make the cut. Even sexy german boy.