You Should Know:
If he’s on good terms with his exes.
This is certainly not a conversation you’re likely itching to bring up, but understanding the basics of what went down in his past relationships—especially how they ended—can teach you a lot about him. “If your partner is friends with his exes, it shows he’s skilled in conflict resolution, which is a nice feature in a partner,” explains Claudia Six, Ph.D., a relationship coach. “If he has loose ends with past lovers, of the kind that might have him running back to the ex and leaving you feeling rejected, this is something you should know as well.”
If you have a connection.
As Dr. Six points out, it’s important to find a partner you connect with on more than just an emotional level (although that’s important, too). This might be a topic that unravels naturally—i.e. physically—but it may require some digging around and even straight-up inquiring. “This is a topic to be broached gently. Not too soon, but not too late,” she says.
