"We've Been Married 15 Years And He Still Doesn't Know": People Share Secrets They Kept From Their Partner And Don't Regret

We're taught to tell the truth as often as possible, but what happens when lying to someone is actually the healthier choice?

NBCUniversal Television Distribution / Via media.giphy.com

Recently, Reddit user u/SingleReporter asked, "What things should be kept private from your S.O., no matter how healthy your relationship is?" and the answers were more than a little controversial. Here are a few more additions from the BuzzFeed Community that I need to know if you agree with.

1."Criticism of any kind just be careful with. I have a family member who tends to be very critical of his wife, and I can just see how it erodes her confidence and their bond. In front of people is even worse, but even in private, telling your partner there is something wrong with them should be rare and only when it’s actually important."

—kristlynn

2."Peeing in front of your partner? Fine. Pooping? Hell no"

—princesspea09

3."My wife and I have been married for 40 years, and over time, you just naturally learn what topics to avoid and what issues you will just have to agree to disagree on. My wife and I are of different religions: I’m basically agnostic, and she is fairly religious. I have just learned over time that she is not going to change her feelings about her religion to suit me, so I have no other choice but to just accept it. Basically, we rarely discuss religion because there is usually no need to."

—sidneykaler

4."My then-boyfriend and I went to the jewelry store to look at rings, and I picked out one I loved. Several months later, he proposed to me with a ring from that store, and it was the wrong one. I still liked it, but it wasn't the one I really wanted. I couldn't bear to tell him. We've been married 15 years, and he still doesn't know and never will."

5."My ex-wife used to interrogate me after every therapy session I had."

—u/Bearttousai37

6."I've broken up with partners who insist on going through my phone and private accounts such as email and social media. I used to date someone who was very controlling when I was young, and it was awful. I will never tolerate that again."

—babysharkz0r

7."In my case, how many women have hit on me at my job, try to flirt, and offered to have some form of sexual activity with me. I work at college apartments, and at every turn, there are new women, and because I'm friendly (with everyone), they sometimes shoot their shots. I have the need to let her know; I feel guilty not being 100% honest with her, but she would flip her shit knowing it, and this job pays insanely well."

—u/[deleted]

8."I recently came to believe that perfect, complete, total intimacy is not that great for relationships. Esther Perel wrote that 'eroticism requires separateness,' and if you don't have something that is just yours, you lose that. And you are probably kidding yourself about the totality of intimacy anyway. Share what you feel like sharing. Accept what your partner feels like sharing. You are entitled to your partner's respect and affection (if you hold up your end), but you are not entitled to their every thought. You are two separate people building something together. But you are still separate."

—u/jimmythegeek1

9."It's probably best not to mention how their family annoys you, unless it is a really harmful thing."

—zozothecat

10."I had an ex read my journals about private things. Then, he stole one from me and black-mailed me into doing what he said to do or he would expose my secrets and things I wrote privately. I don't keep journals anymore after that."

11."An old friend of mine's girlfriend told him he had started as her rebound. I was there when it happened, and I swear to God I saw his heartbreak. They were really good together and really liked each other, so he tried to keep going, but I watched it eat him from the inside out until he just couldn't take it anymore and broke up with her. There really are some things you just can't take back."

—u/RavagerHughesy

12."My girlfriend told me how much bigger her ex is compared to me. Ladies, for the love of God, don't do that."

—u/ForkMyTightAss

13."If she poops on the table while birthing your child...no she fucking didn't!"

—u/whiffling_waterfowl

14."People seldom understand that the longer you are with someone you love, the MORE you need kindness, compassion, and discretion. You know too much about each other that can be weaponized."

—u/pbrown21817

15."My dad has mentioned a few times that in their 40+ years of marriage, he’s never gone in her top dresser drawer or purse."

16."My wife is sensitive about animals, so any time I see/read some sort of tragedy related to an animal, I hide it from her."

—u/atsigns

17."I’ve recently started dating a girl, and it’s one of the first relationships in which we haven’t been asking each other about each other’s dating history. It’s quite refreshing honestly. I can imagine some things will eventually come up, but I do cherish the fact that neither of us is pressing for those details. It’s like we both get to start with a blank slate."

—u/PoinFLEXter

18."My ex used to always make little jabs about my appearance. I think he thought that those were things I didn’t realize were 'wrong' with me and that I would correct them if they were brought to my attention. Every single comment is burned in my brain and did nothing but make me more self-conscious. My current partner never ever makes negative comments about my body. And when I point out my own flaws, he always spins them into something charming and unique about me. It’s really nice."

—u/happyspaceghost

19."This is a really subjective answer, and I'm sure people will disagree, but for me: bathroom time. I've got three kids, and one of them is my full-time responsibility as her mom isn't around. I live and breathe for my kids, and I love them, but doing my morning and evening bathroom events, I really love the solitude."

20."Anything wanted private that has no direct impact on the relationship. People don't need to be sharing text messages, diary entries, detailed itineraries when apart, etc. Any insistence on that kind of sharing is paranoid and unhealthy. Trust is important as is understanding people may still need their space regardless of relationship status."

—u/Caacrinolass

21."What a loser you were in previous relationships. You've grown since then and have become a better partner and person."

—u/Socialistics

22."That I don’t like their spending habits. It’s not my business because it’s not my money, but geez, he sure does buy some stupid shit we absolutely don’t need."

23."When you’re going to propose. My brother and his now fiancée, who I love as a couple, picked the day and time. He had a camera guy there and everything. It was super cool, but if I told my girlfriend when I planned on proposing and how I was going to do it, I know it’d take away from that special moment."

—u/LiCill666

What's something you'd never tell your partner? Tell me in the comments!