How do you introduce your spouse?

Wabbit Ears · 07-03-2016 01:39PM

this is my wife [insert name]

If I ever referred to my wife as my partner I would literally be hearing that come up in arguments until one of us die, and if I die first she'd still give out about it at my graveside. Incredibly disrespectful IMHO.

Speedwell · 07-03-2016 01:46PM

My husband and I are in our 40s and unconcerned about referring to each other as "husband" and "wife". To us they're just the standard terms for what we are. It never crossed my mind, and would never cross his, that those terms might be inadequate for our particular relationship. In my mind's eye I can see him saying now, "Well, we're married, what else would we be?" We're just ordinary people and we are who we are.

However, 30 or more years ago, I remember a newspaper columnist in a Deep South city in the US always referred to his wife in his columns as his partner. He meant it as an expression of deep respect and esteem. He could have called her his wife, but he actually meant that she was so much more than just someone who had gone through a wedding with him; she was someone who he had a true partnership with. I always thought that was lovely.

07-03-2016 01:58PM

The flying mouse wrote: »

Do you explain the relationship you have and what sort of response or reaction do you get ? Just asking by the way not judging or criticizing in any way shape or form :-)

I get mixed reactions to that one I guess. But generally these days it is a lot more tame and mute than it was 5 or 10 years ago. We have come a long way in this country over the last 10 years. Up to and following things like the SSM referendum. These days I guess the majority of the reactions are genuine curiosity.

But what I meant above was I introduce EVERYONE that way. I do not say "This is my brother X" or "this is my mother Y" or "This is my school friend Z" or "This is my boss".

In general I just introduce people by name without clarifying my relationship to them - unless it comes up for a reason - or it is somehow relevant at the time in some contextual way.

somesoldiers · 07-03-2016 02:16PM

"This is my significant other"

Del Trotter

naughtysmurf · 07-03-2016 02:24PM

Mein Fuhrer, followed quickly by a click of my heels

DublinCJM · 07-03-2016 02:30PM

I used to introduce her as "My future ex wife".

Which she subsequently became.

Now I don't have to introduce her to anybody at all.

xabi · 07-03-2016 02:34PM

Trouble and strife.

smash · 07-03-2016 02:36PM

"Her" while pointing

Badly Drunk Boy · 07-03-2016 02:49PM

Hitchens wrote: »

So I asked him later on and he said he didn't want to embarrass the other couple who aren't married but are living together.

If they're brazen enough to live in sin, in Catholic Ireland, they should be okay living with the shame of their current circumstances. :pac:

mahamageehad wrote: »

I used to just introduce him as "my German" but it turns out he's really offended by that!

Now I just introduce him by his name. As in "This is my Raymond*". He also doesn't like that but he hasn't been able to vocalise why so it's staying for now. :P

*may not be his real name

He obviously doesn't like being a possession. "Neither did the Sudetenland, Herr Raymond!!!"

That bit of fake anti-German sentiment was inspired by a delivery I received today from a German company with an address of 'Sudetenlandstrasse '. But I love Germany. And Kraftwerk. And Rammstein.