OK: Talking to your ex. It’s totally okay to talk to your ex, provided things ended on a good note. An occasional, ‘hey, how have you been?’ is not the worst thing in the world. Talking to your ex every day for long periods of time, though, is not ok. You should be honest if you have been talking it up with someone from the past, so you don’t look like you’re keeping secrets.
NOT OK: Hanging out with your ex alone. While you can indeed be trusted, there is just something not right about hanging out with your ex alone. It seems like a date. You very well might be friends, but if you are dating someone else, it isn’t fair to your new partner. If you want to do something very casual and non-intimate in a public setting like lunch or coffee, I suppose that is all right. Once again, you should be honest beforehand.
OK: Having friends of the opposite sex. Beyond the ex, it is totally cool to have friends of the opposite sex too. In a relationship, you cannot tell each other whom you can and cannot hang out with. Not only is it completely normal to have other girl or guy friends, it’s healthy.
NOT OK: Getting too cozy with those friends of the opposite sex. It can make your significant other jealous and uncomfortable if you are spending more time with someone else. Granted it may not seem fair if someone is jealous because you are going on vacations or having sleepovers with someone else, but when you consent to be in a relationship there is a certain amount of respect you need to hold for that partner. There are also certain sacrifices that come along too.
OK: Dancing with other people if you leave enough room for the Holy Spirit. Enough said.
NOT OK: Twerking like Miley. While it may mean nothing to you, it is just best to avoid it because it is far too easy for things to get out of hand. There is nothing innocent about “dancing” these days, and it looks pretty bad. Some things are fun, but just not always worth it.
OK: Going out without your significant other. Many couples think you need to be glued at the hip, but girls’ nights out and guys’ nights in are totally fine.
NOT OK: Blowing off your friends for your significant other. As much effort as must be kept into maintaining a relationship, you must never forget about your friends!
DISCLAIMER: These rules may vary from relationship to relationship. Some couples are more conservative or more liberal than others. If you are torn, however, and don’t know what to do, these rules are the best go-tos.
