Not entirely. They shouldn't be the complete focus of conversation, but I think one's past is an important part of understanding one's present and future.

No, I do not agree. You cant act like you both didnt have a past.

To an extent, like...you should probably leave out unnecessary details. But if your past relationships come up in conversation and your current partner is fine with talking about it, then talk about it.

No; the past is important and we can all learn from it.

If it makes the other person uncomfortable then you shouldn't otherwise there shouldn't be a problem with it!

If you two are kewl with it its alright. But it takes a special person not to get jealous over things like that. Personally I dont care what a person does before or after they are with me, Its what they do when they are with me that I care about.

Kind of, it may bring up some uncomfortable things to the table, and well, shit may possibly hit the fan.

You have to talk about them in some ways and at some times. You do have a past, you know, and it can't be completely blank. Just talk about noncontroversial things.

I can talk about anything in the world with me old lady and thats the way it should be.

I don't see any reasons to not talk about your past as long as your not comparing your past with your present in any way shape or form. That is tacky and hurtful.

No. A relationship should have nothing hidden.

YES!!! Now, let's never speak of this again.

Hmmm ... i think you can state the basic things about your past relationships.. but don't go into detail... well.. in my experience all the things i have ever said to my exs they have used against me.. and at present i am a single mom.. but it depends really ...

As long as you're over it, it shouldn't matter. If there is doubt about being over it, it only makes your current s/o feel inadequate to bring someone else up. Of course your Ex is going to come up... it's a frame of reference and memories and all sorts of familiarity. And a s/o should be open and willing to hearing about it and appreciating it as part of the past -- as long as the dialogue is healthy and reflects the growth and change of the new relationship.

Not really. I don't deny that everyone has something they will always want to keep to themselves, and that's fine; because I also don't agree that a couple should tell each other absolutely everything. Some things are meant to be kept to oneself. I also do not attribute this willingness, or lack thereof, as much of a trust issue. I think that's a little ridiculous. However in a healthy relationship, people are supposed to talk and communicate, and talking about past relationships can be healthy and enlightening, as long as both parties are comfortable with the idea. That's all that matters as far as I'm concerned, and far it outweighs all this superficial said "trust" which seems to rupture so many relationships to begin with. Take it with a grain of salt however, I'm hardly the expert in this subject.

Depends on the relationship and the people in it. Usually a topic to avoid, however. Many do not like to think about it.

Yes I do. You shouldn't ask questions nor should you have to answer any. The only thing that matters is what happens once you meet and make whatever commitment you make to be a couple. What happened before you met is no one else's business and should stay in the past. Just my opinion. Happy Thursday! :)

it depends, if youve only just met them then listing all your exes is not a good idea! But in a long term relationship you should be able to express your past as it made you the person your are 2day, the person that they love you for! Ive been with my fiancee for almost 4 years and its discussed often, nothing to hide from either of us.

yeah usually it can only go one way.....bad but sometimes if both parties are open minded and secure with one another it can be discussed maturely.

I wouldn't want my husband talking about his past relationships. I don't talk about mine. Individuals can choose. In my opinion, it isn't a matter of should or shouldn't.

I see no reason that talking about past relationships should be actively avoided. Those relationships have helped to mold you into the person you are today. They are relevent. Of course, there is a limit, and if you are talking about them all the time, it may be a sign of a problem.

its usually never a good idea. ;D

Leave the past in the past unless it is necessary to say something about it. Do not compare one with the other.

I think its important to talk about the reasons your last relationships never worked out in order to keep from the same mistakes happening again, but however i do believe there is a such thing as sharing to much

They don't care about your folklore, anymore than you care about yours. It's a good way to end up going to sleep without sex.

No, I believe in open, honest communication where we share any and everything with each other. Can you really ever get to know someone if they feel that can/should hide and edit what they tell you? You'll never be truly close that way.

I agree completely. In fact, it's a policy of mine. I talk about exes as little as possible and I have rarely asked a woman about an ex. More of them have brought up their ex without me asking actually. Unless she was abused or something like that, I prefer that a woman not bring up her ex. My past is not her business and her's is not mine.

My marriage is living proof that in a relationship knowing about the past is essential. My husband from the first day he met me has always told me "his life really started the day he met me." However some 20 years later this would prove a statement that I found extremely hard to accept. . We met in 1985 married in 1987, yes we both dated others, had active lives, him being married prior to my meeting him and long divorced before we started dating. That was the extent of knowing about his past relationships, he just never talked about it and I a fool blindly accepted his decision not to. . 20 years later, a phone call out of the blue, turned all the faith and trust I ever had in him into a world of "what the fuck you mean "you think he is your Father?!" It was then and only then in 2007 November 24th he wanted to open the flood gates about his past. . DNA proved he was not, however my response to him was "What else is in your closet of the past that I need to know about?" Funny thing is he thinks just because the outcome proved the statement this girl made (who by the way is 37 looking for a daddy) totally false he could somehow stop talking about the situation. . For me perhaps back then I fell in love and choose to blindly not ask about his past. But now the wondering is and will always be there, to me I somewhat felt betrayed by him. To me I opened up every part of my life to my husband and now after 23 years I can honestly say I don't know this man after all. . There is a bunch I left out of this reply to the question. But one thing I will say honestly, it is far better to know all about a persons past because sooner or later in my case anyway the person you thought to be honest, loyal and trustworthy seems a bit smaller now in my eyes. Thank you I needed to aire this. I am old school and believe the past never stays hidden for all it will always come back to rear its head.

I think in the very early stages of a new relationship you sort of get all that stuff out of the way. Not super detailed but just what happened between the two of you sort of theing. It can be helpful in finding out what the person your with is like in relationships and what they want out of one.