If you dislike your friend's partner, where do you draw the line? Can you still be friends with someone who holds a different set of values or has views that clash with yours. Two stars of Netflix reality series Selling Sunset, Chrishell Stause and Emma Hernan, have been feuding on and off-camera over Emma's boyfriend Blake Davis, whom Chrishell dislikes.
The tension between them boiled over during an end-of-season reunion, leading to online debates about how or whether you can stay friends with someone whose partner you dislike. For one woman, Hannah, the issue arose when her friend Georgia moved away from London with a new partner who proposed to her fairly quickly. On one night out before the wedding, Hannah claims Georgia's fiancΓ© made sexual comments about her.
It was an uncomfortable and unexpected experience for Hannah. When she told Georgia about it, she tried to downplay it, saying he did that with all his female friends. However, Hannah explained that his comments were graphic and explicit. The situation led to a rift in their friendship, which Hannah says is "really hurtful."
To navigate this kind of situation, relationship expert Anna Williamson advises starting a conversation with your friend by telling them something like: "I care about you so much but I want to check in because I've noticed that you seem really stressed lately." It's essential to stick to facts and avoid discussing personal opinions or making judgments.
Williamson also suggests being delicate when deciding whether to spend time around your friend's partner, saying it's possible to do so while maintaining boundaries. "I'd say something like, 'I really care about you, but I need to take some space from your partner because I'm not comfortable with their behaviour, but I really want to spend time with you,'" she advises.
However, relationship and trauma counsellor Yasmin Shaheen-Zaffar notes that sometimes a partner's actions can be too much for someone. If the person feels like they're in danger or uncomfortable around them, it may be necessary to re-evaluate the friendship.
Ultimately, you have to respect individual people's decisions and try to remain civil if you still want that friend to be part of your life. Team leader Shaheen-Zaffar says that having a difference of opinion should never lead to the end of a friendship, but rather an opportunity for growth and understanding.
The tension between them boiled over during an end-of-season reunion, leading to online debates about how or whether you can stay friends with someone whose partner you dislike. For one woman, Hannah, the issue arose when her friend Georgia moved away from London with a new partner who proposed to her fairly quickly. On one night out before the wedding, Hannah claims Georgia's fiancΓ© made sexual comments about her.
It was an uncomfortable and unexpected experience for Hannah. When she told Georgia about it, she tried to downplay it, saying he did that with all his female friends. However, Hannah explained that his comments were graphic and explicit. The situation led to a rift in their friendship, which Hannah says is "really hurtful."
To navigate this kind of situation, relationship expert Anna Williamson advises starting a conversation with your friend by telling them something like: "I care about you so much but I want to check in because I've noticed that you seem really stressed lately." It's essential to stick to facts and avoid discussing personal opinions or making judgments.
Williamson also suggests being delicate when deciding whether to spend time around your friend's partner, saying it's possible to do so while maintaining boundaries. "I'd say something like, 'I really care about you, but I need to take some space from your partner because I'm not comfortable with their behaviour, but I really want to spend time with you,'" she advises.
However, relationship and trauma counsellor Yasmin Shaheen-Zaffar notes that sometimes a partner's actions can be too much for someone. If the person feels like they're in danger or uncomfortable around them, it may be necessary to re-evaluate the friendship.
Ultimately, you have to respect individual people's decisions and try to remain civil if you still want that friend to be part of your life. Team leader Shaheen-Zaffar says that having a difference of opinion should never lead to the end of a friendship, but rather an opportunity for growth and understanding.