Husbands of the world, beware. According to a recent survey of 1,000 married UK women, 50 percent of married women have a backup husband in mind in case you screw up, he charms her to the point of divorcing you, or a combination of both. And get this: he isn't just any old guy they've seen around or said hello to a few times. He's usually an old friend who has had feelings for your wife, an ex-husband or ex-boyfriend who you've definitely heard her talk about more times than you're comfortable with, or even a gym buddy who, let's be real, probably sees more of that passion and ambition that comes with high energy workouts than you do. Sorry, dude.
The Daily Mail thinks "this could spark fear in men across the UK and be great news for women looking for that extra bit of love and care so that their attentions aren't swayed," adding that "this news may cause a few men in relationships to think twice about not taking the rubbish out or choosing a night down the pub in favour of a cosy night in with his partner."
OK, pause. Lets think about this for a second.
So, Daily Mail, you're saying that men should be scared into showing their wives love and affection? That the only way to prevent a relationship from deteriorating is staying in to cuddle and never going out because, inevitably, if you do you'll get with another woman? That if you go outside for a hot second to "take out the rubbish," back-up husband will sweep in silently and skillfully like Superman, make sweet love to your wife and be gone before you return, leaving your wife with nothing but a man who's hands smell like trash and whose breath reeks of suspicion?
When it comes down to it, if you're in a committed, monogamous relationship, you're not going to be able to control feelings your partner has towards another person. As long as no one acts on those feelings or attractions and the rest of your relationship is going well, there's really nothing to worry about. If you're not comfortable with your significant other thinking about someone else, just have a damn conversation about it. Be open, ask questions, be ready to make compromises. Ask what you can do to change the fact that she may be waiting on someone better, but don't always expect that you necessarily can. There are more than 7 billion people on this big, blue planet we call home. Odds are, you will be attracted to someone who's not necessarily your partner.
