The 9 Types of Pre-Exclusive Relationships

One of the most frequently asked questions in the world of dating has got to be "If they're not your significant other, then what the hell are they?" Well, pre-exclusive relationships (or PXRs) don't have to be a frustrating gray area anymore. Here's a handy guide to the nine most common types of PXRs, all converted into abbreviations for easy texting.

1. OGBC (On-Going Booty Call)

Sex and sex only. Whenever you're both down. For as long as you can remain essentially strangers. You've probably never seen your OGBC before midnight.

2. FWB (Friends With Benefits)

The most infamous of all PXRs, the FWB relationship is rarely ever as uncomplicated as either party pretends it is. The promise of a "no-strings-attached" deal with a person who you actually enjoy hanging out with is just too sweet, though. So, we keep acting like we're emotionally invincible until we ruin a perfectly good friendship.

3. TLKNG (Talking)

"No we're not dating. We're just talking." You like each other and you both know it, but neither one of you has acted on it yet. (Having hooked up once or twice doesn't necessarily count as "acting on it.")

4. LVRS (Lovers)

"Lovers," is sort of an outdated, cheesy word that most people have only ever heard on "Murder She Wrote" ("What was your relationship to the deceased?" "We… we were lovers."). But there's no other word that quite captures this particular relationship. LVRS are not committed to each other, but they have deep feelings for each other. For whatever reason, however, it can never be.

5. DTNG (Dating)

There's some controversy about the difference between "seeing each other" and "dating," and we won't be able to please everyone here. Dating, to me, means "going out on dates." You can be going out on dates with multiple people at one time, and there's nothing questionable about that.