Do you really need complete honesty to have a happy relationship?
We're wondering if successful couples really tell each other everything.
An unhappy couple
Honesty in this context is synonymous to transparency and openness. But here's the deal: to what extent should honesty go? How much of it is really needed to keep your relationship going?
Of course, it's easy to say absolute, total and other words depicting that partners should basically tell each other every thing from the day they were born till when they met.
![Openness is a relationship feature that should not be missing if you intend to be in a peaceful relationship. [Credit: Dean Mitchell Getty]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'724'%20height%3D'483'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Openness is a relationship feature that should not be missing if you intend to be in a peaceful relationship. [Credit: Dean Mitchell Getty]")
Openness is a relationship feature that should not be missing if you intend to be in a peaceful relationship. [Credit: Dean Mitchell Getty]
Happy couple sharing a smile [Credit: Dean Mitchell Getty]
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But as Bola, 29, says, "I don't think complete honesty in relationships is needed, or even advisable.
"So let's say I go out to a club and run into an ex who kisses me but I do not reciprocate and actually told him off.
"Do you expect me to go tell my boyfriend that?
"He just does not need to know. Telling him would create images in his head. Sometimes, it's just good to let sleeping dogs lie."
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![Communication and honesty has a limit that every healthy relationship needs to find. [Credit: Getty Images]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'790'%20height%3D'577'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Communication and honesty has a limit that every healthy relationship needs to find. [Credit: Getty Images]")
Communication and honesty has a limit that every healthy relationship needs to find. [Credit: Getty Images]
The physical appearance is the only point of attraction. One thing that carries a relationship far is the level of emotional maturity present in both partners. [Credit: Getty Images]
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Michelle, 27, says: "I can't even tell my boyfriend or partner my real body count.
"He does not need to know, and what he does not know won't necessarily kill him. I'm sure you know that sometimes, ignorance is actually bliss."
"Telling him I have had sex with other people before him should be enough."
And it's true; sometimes there are some things in your past and even in the present your partner does not need to know. Opening up to them will actually cause problems and cast shadows on the trust they already have for you.
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Regardless, honesty remains major key
But having said that, it needs to be pointed out that a great deal of honesty in relationships is still required.
Everything that directly affects the relationship, everything that will obviously impact a person's decision to either be with you or not... you need to open up to him or her about it, especially if the relationship is a serious one that'll most likely head somewhere.
![Make sure to tell your man and woman everything that directly affects the relationship, especially in a negative way. [Credit: LovePanky]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'790'%20height%3D'455'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Make sure to tell your man and woman everything that directly affects the relationship, especially in a negative way. [Credit: LovePanky]")
Make sure to tell your man and woman everything that directly affects the relationship, especially in a negative way. [Credit: LovePanky]
Arguing couple [Credit: LovePanky]
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A previous abortion, a child from a previous relationship, an ex that's relentlessly bugging you, bad debts, scary medical history, a life-threatening medical condition etc.
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Things like these have direct effects on the trust your partner has for you, and refusing to disclose these things to your partner is not right.
You'll actually need to use your discretion and good judgement to decide what to tell and what to leave out.
But one thing seems certain: there are indeed things better left unsaid in a relationship.
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