secret lovers

A secret relationship can be enthralling: sneaking around, trysts in dark closets, constant murmurs of "what happens if they find out."

But the same relationship can also be really annoying. And demeaning.

In this advice column, one woman asks if she was wrong to call off a relationship with a widower who didn't want to tell his family about her. The expert's opinion:

After several months of dating, a partner’s insistence on keeping you a secret from friends, family and acquaintances bodes badly for a satisfying future together.

Affairs are one thing, but it's even worse when you have nothing to hide and your partner still won't tell people about your relationship.

I've never been in an entirely secret relationship, but I have dated guys who wouldn't tell their parents about us. I understand the idea of not getting families involved until it's serious, but when someone's deliberately hiding you from the people he loves most, you just feel kinda sleazy.

Is it ever OK to date someone who wants to keep your relationship secret?