Rebound

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines rebound as: 1 a : to spring back on or as if on collision or impact with another body b : to recover from setback or frustration How did the phrase “rebound relationship” come to have such a negative connotation? I even came across a website devoted entirely to this concept. I think that anybody who is in the dating world is in some shape or form “on the rebound” (OTR). Otherwise s/he wouldn’t be dating in the first place. Well, I protest. I am proud to be OTR. I have recovered from a very painful breakup and, as in the definition above, “sprung back on impact with another”. It all stems from our insecurities—if we think we might be dating someone who is OTR, that means there is a possibility that s/he is using us to get someone else out of his/her system, or, god forbid, just using us to fulfill some physical need. I think that the concept of rebound relationships is based on the length of time that has passed since the previous relationship. So maybe the question worth asking a potential partner is, “How long has it been since your last relationship?” If the answer falls below an acceptable level for you, then by all means, communicate to that person that you don’t feel that s/he has “recovered from that setback” yet. If the answer is acceptable to you, then celebrate. This “rebound relationship” has potential, and be grateful that your potential partner didn’t settle for someone less than s/he deserved.

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