( The Frisky ) -- When I asked an old friend why she had n't just broken up with her live-in boyfriend instead of beginning a messy affair with a married neighbor , she snapped , `` Do n't be stupid -- nobody leaves a relationship without having another one in place . '' Overlappers refuse to end one relationship until they have another one in progress . Oh , please , I corrected her . Of course they do . People fall out of love or get angry and leave without a safety net all the time . But as I thought back , I realized that for as long as I knew her , she never had . Even when she pretty much hated the one she was with , she stuck it out until she 'd lined up his replacement . I could never understand why . My friend is beautiful , successful and very smart ; surely being single for a little while would n't end her world . Women are n't the only ones guilty of this . I know -- and have unfortunately dated -- plenty of men who careen from one girlfriend directly into another , often with a big fat overlap ; connecting the two relationships like a murky Venn diagram . I understand that being single can be annoying and lonely sometimes , but there are plenty of good reasons not to be -- or date ! -- an Overlapper . 1 . Karma ! While overlapping is definitely cheating , the difference is these types go into it with the sole purpose of transitioning into another relationship . But however you word it , Overlappers deceive one or both parties in order to get what they want . When you begin a relationship dishonestly , it usually comes back to bite you in the butt . At the very least , you will never be fully able to trust an Overlapper . Because -- as yet another cliche based in truth goes -- if he does it with you , he 'll do it to you . 2 . Drama ! Breakups are never fun , however splits caused by infidelity are hands down the most explosive . If you 're like my friend and her man ( who , against all odds , actually left his wife ) , this means that instead of talking about hearts , flowers , and butterflies -- like other new couples -- you spend your nights plotting how to hide assets and whether or not your overpaid lawyer is enough of a shark . How romantic ! 3 . The Pressure ! Though they may appear independent , people who ca n't be alone are that way because they need to see themselves reflected in someone else 's adoring eyes . But when their mirror ( aka , partner ) develops a flaw ( weight gain , job loss , etc . ) , their image of themselves reflects that . Being a narcissist , nothing less than perfection is acceptable , so they start looking for the next mirror . Got that , fatty ? You 'd better stay at the top of your game if you want to hang onto an Overlapper . 4 . Not cute ! `` I met my boyfriend when his puppy peed on my foot '' is the perfect example of a meet-cute story . It has all the key elements -- chance , humor , and , best of all , a cuddly puppy ! `` I met my boyfriend because I was his kids ' nanny and then his wife found out , which is how I got this black eye , '' is definitely not a tale you 're going to want to share at parties . TM & © 2009 TMV , Inc. | All Rights Reserved .
Some people afraid to be alone are guilty of dating overlapping . They cheat on both partners while transitioning between relationships . Overlappers ca n't be trusted -- they might do it to you . Because they 're narcissistic , they 'll trade you in for better model .