Driving along today downtown I saw a Virgin Mobile billboard that simply said;
We’re into open relationships.
It was an ad for their ‘no contract’ agreement. I would have taken a phone pic of it but I had to pay attention to the road after all.
Whatever it was for, it certainly made me think. I’m starting to notice more and more in popular culture and advertising that open relationships are being used as sells. From what I’ve seen the focus is usually on a seemingly safer taboo, the “in-betweens”. People who are less likely to simply swing but also feel that the stereotypical polyamory scene isn’t 100 % right for them, as well as those in more traditional relationships who are ok with the whole idea.
The media is picking up on this “new fad” – that is in reality so old it could be related to the dinosaurs. Shows like ‘Big Love’ are getting us talking about polygamy by the watercooler. Last summer’s little show ‘Swingtown’ introduced old school swinging styles to a new audience. Outside of that, open relationships don’t really get very much media attention, but I’m not complaining. I don’t love or fuck more than one person because it’s trendy or popular in the ratings. I do it because it’s right for me, for my husband and for our marriage.
In truth though, part of me likes the idea – however exploitative it may be – of throwing in cheeky references to non-monogamy in a Virgin Mobile ad. Last night I received an e-mail from an ex best friend of mine who simply vanished without any explanation. Over a year and a bit later she wanted to let me know that I had done nothing wrong to end our friendship, as it was she who was not able to handle the things that were happening in my life outside of my marriage.
This leads me begging to ask the question: Is it possible that if open relationships were at least on the surface more “mainstream” and “trendy” that friends and family might be able to handle us being in them with more ease?
Even the biggest tree in the forest still came from one little seed, so here’s hoping.
