Atom Smasher said:
You're right about that. The "laying down of the law" has to be done early, before issues like this creep in.
I have no idea how old some of you guys are (which is why we should be posting our age in our profiles), but I perceive that there is a real stigma in the early twenties crowd about coming off as "jealous". This is a scarlet letter that women and our feminized society-at-large seem to hang over your heads.
When you get a little older you start to realize that crap doesn't work for you and that most women crave a man who will establish parameters and limits for them. My early twenties were the worst years of my life because even back then I knew that women in my age group had their heads so far up their asses that I couldn't understand how they could even breathe. And you guys have it twice as rough today than I had it.
Just as a child knows deep down inside that he or she needs discipline, so do women. They will cry and moan and test you, but a man must stay strong and stick to his guns. When he does, that is when she feels free to surrender to him. Does this apply to people in their early twenties today? I'm not so sure. There is too much confusion and turmoil in that age group. I can tell you for sure that it applies when the late twenties and beyond roll around and a little reality starts trickling in.
At any rate, a dominant frame must be started early in a relationship or she will run roughshod over you. I repeat what I said before... there is no such thing as "just friends". Her other lover is giving her a payoff that the OP is not giving her.
Good advice!!
The very first time you catch your new girlfriend talking to her ex (or any other dude) confront her about it. Don't do it in a jealous way. Be calm, cool, and in control. All you are trying to do is set some boundaries and get your point across.
Something like this for the ex:
You: "It kinda seems like you are still hung up on your ex."
Her: "Oh, we're just friends."
You: "Hey, listen, you seem really great and I'm really enjoying spending time with you. I think what we have so far is amazing and I'd really like to pursue it further.....but if you're still hanging on to things with your ex then I'm not going to waste my time with any of this."
Her: "There's nothing going on, we're just friends."
You: "Well that's great, but I just want you to know that I'm not going to waste my time."
Something like this for other dudes trying to game your girl:
You: "So, who is that guy?"
Her: "Oh, we're just friends."
You: "Hey, listen, you seem really great and I'm really enjoying spending time with you. I think what we have so far is amazing and I'd really like to pursue it further.....but if you're still wanting to act single with other guys then I'm not going to waste my time"
Her: "There's nothing going on, we're just friends."
You: "Well that's great, but I just want you to know that I'm not going to waste my time."
Now this is her moment to make you feel right about the situation. Ideally she will "show" you rather than just "tell" you.
What you have done is sent her a message that you will take away your attention from her if things continue on this path. It is basically an ultimatum without coming out and actually saying it.
Now back in my early 20's I would not have had the balls to say some thing like this. However, once I got a bit older I pretty much used these lines on every single girlfriend I had. In every case she would eventually "wise up" and stop all the BS with other dudes/exes, etc. If she tried to test me with it, I would pull back immediately and basically eject from the relationship. When she would question me I would respond with "I'm not wasting my time." She will once again claim they are "just friends" and I would counter with "That's great, I've got lots of other girlfriends I can hang with too. If that's the direction this relationship is going then I'm OK with that. We'll have to see how that works out. "
Once again you are making a point. If you are going to be exclusive with her then demand the same behaviour in return. If she won't comply then the "exclusive" part of your relationship doesn't exist. Feel free to play away and do NOT be afraid to let her know that's how you feel.
This has to be done early because this is about respect. You can't let her get away with BS (ie disrespect you) and then try and demand respect later. It just doesn't work that way.
The moment you start demanding this type of respect (from the start) your relationships with women will forever change.