Romantic partner or business partner?

[Biggybrony 244]

So folks, if somebody introduces some to you as their 'partner' what do you immediately assume they mean? I honestly want to know what the majority of people think because I immediately think of a business or work partner and have introduced other people as such which has led to very many misunderstandings and assumptions about my romantic statuses. When I think someone is about to introduce me to a romantic partner I just naturally expect them to say 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend'.

 

You guys?

Edited August 21, 2015 by Biggybrony

[Adri 52]

It depends on the context of the situation I'm in, but I typically assume it's romance-orientated

[SquipyCheetah 449]

It really depends on the situation but usually, I assume it as a friend or coworker or something.

[Moonlight 7,287]

I always assume that it means romantic. I'm used to hearing people refer to their friends as 'friend' and coworkers as 'coworker' so hearing someone refer to someone by using the word 'partner' in a non-romantic way confuses me.

[Pastel 7,630]

100% depends on the situation and on who is concerned...

[Odyssey 5,716]

It usually depends on the situation, but when I hear partner on just its own, I first think of partner in crime. Especially if it relates to the police or the military. Since I'm used to hearing partner as a term in police/military/etc. stuff, I always find it strange when somebody calls their boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/etc. their partner.

[Lost 1,410]

It always depends on the situation, but typically i think of business partner in most situations.

[Discordian 6,015]

Unless they say something like "boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband" or whatever I'm not likely to ever think they're talking romantically. I know some people refer to it as "partner" to be sensitive or something but the term has never meant romantic involvement to me. Ever. Partner in crime, business partner, or even just a really good friend. All of these are acceptable uses of the word and often far more common.

[Biggybrony 244]

Hmm, interesting. I wanted to assume that 'romantic partner' would be slightly heavier judging by my experience lately.

[Lucky Bolt 35,064]

I take it as more of a "partner in crime + romantic thing happening on the side" sorta thing.

[The Kaeya Simp 13,989]

I prefer partners in the romantic sense

[Tacodidra 61,217]

I'd assume they're talking about a romantic partner, unless the context makes it clear they're not. Why? I guess it's because I'm more used to hearing people talk about relationships than business matters.

[Cash In 22,391]

I generally assume that someone is referring to a romantic partner when they use the term, as it seems common to associate the two with one another.

[Rebel the Wolfgirl 5,605]

Definitely either "romantic" or "partner in crime".

Or both. Because there's no better feeling in the world than causing mayhem with the person you love.

[Here No Longer 5,276]

Most of the time I assume romantic because I hear it used most in that context now, but it depends on context.

[TBD 17,254]

Automatically, I would think they mean acquaintance.

[SparklingSquirrels 21,345]

Romantic partner, I blame the love question thread  

[Splashee 28,564]

On 7/1/2019 at 1:55 AM, Sherbert MGS said:

I prefer partners in the romantic sense

 

Yea, who doesn't?

 

But I still assume people mean business partner when they say "partner".

[Dreambiscuit 9,906]

I would base my assumptions on the context and who is involved. If it looked like an affectionate man and woman I'd assume romance. Business attire and a professional demeanor would indicate business. Simple enough. 

[Clawdeen 14,803]

I tend to assume they mean their romantic partner

[ZiggWheelsManning 10,657]

Business partner, if that's how the Pet Shop Boys song "Opportunities" goes.  

[Fluttershyfan94 5,742]

The context is important, normally I'd assume a business partner simply as to me that's usually what partner refers to. However if I were somewhere else then probably I'd assume romantic again the context to it. Still typically yeah business partner unless it was at say a party or something.

[Astralshy 26,944]

Without any context I'd assume we're speaking about a romantic partner, but normally you've always some context.

[ZiggWheelsManning 10,657]

Business partner, someone I could bond with when I work on the job  

[Guest]

Unless I'm at work or they mention new business deals, I usually assume romantic partners. However, in my experience in the past decade, most people that I have ever met that used "partner" are usually people from the LGBT+ community.

Edited September 21, 2023 by StarlightNyars