“Dodged That Bullet Big Time”: 35 Times A 3rd Person Ruined A Relationship Without Even Cheating

Bored Panda reached out to Heyjalapeno who was pleasantly surprised to see her question attracting so many interested people. When asked what inspired her to start this kind of discussion, she said that it was sparked by a conversation she had with a friend who at the time was dating a guy from a different religion. Because of the couple’s differences in faith, marriage for them was quite impossible.

Heyjalapeno shared that “Marrying outside of your religion isn't very common in the South Asian community, and more often than not, it's the parents who present the staunchest opposition for the same. She is going to end her relationship with her boyfriend and marry a man from her community. I just wanted to know if people all over the world have had their relationship broken because of a third person that didn't involve cheating and I was surprised. The answers to my question were like a nightmare come to life.”

Having seen this firsthand and having read so many similar stories from fellow redditors, she firmly believes that a healthy relationship can definitely end because of a third person.

“As much as we want to believe that communication and understanding solves everything, real life does not work that way. Sometimes it's your religion, your friends, your family, or even your pet that can undo a relationship: you reach a place that only goes two ways. That being said, I truly believe a healthy relationship cannot be ruined by a third person but it can end because of one: those two aren't the same thing according to me.”

Something evident from the people contributing to this discussion was that often opinions or advice from others can impede a relationship. Our interviewee sees both sides to it.

“It's such a double-edged sword getting relationship advice from strangers. On one hand, you get a third-person perspective about your relationship; on the other, it can make you think something is wrong with your relationship even when there isn't. I, however, believe that the only reason you'd look for a third person's perspective (mostly from an anonymous and unbiased jury) is when you already know your relationship isn't what you want it to be.”