24 Standards That Are Bare Minimum in a Relationship

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The bare minimum when discussing a relationship is a phrase used to describe the very least you need from that relationship. The essential requirement you have from the equation is the list you’ll have as part of the bare minimum in a relationship.

Bare minimum standards are the minimum requirements from any potential partner that you may have.

It can be confusing to figure out which qualities are meant to be treated as essential demands and which are the ones that are worth sacrificing. 

When looking for a partner, you may have things that you might desire but can still do without. However, this article won’t be about the bare minimum qualities. 

Instead, this article will focus on the minimal requirements you can set to give your relationship a solid foundation from which to work.  

So, is it time to make a relationship standards list? And what are the things that will make it on the list?

What is the bare minimum in a relationship?

If you have waited a long time to be in a relationship, dated many wrong people, or been single for a long time before finally doing the personal work it takes to find a relationship with mutual respect and support, you have to fight for it to make it last. 

Of course, sometimes we simply grow up and find the right person. Either way, it is time to set standards in a relationship that are easy to achieve. 

You may always have been strong or independent, but are you happy? If you are, despite not having any relationship that lasts as long as until your next birthday, then that’s wonderful. Not everyone needs a relationship to validate who they are and how they live their lives.

Many single people are perfectly satisfied. Nevertheless, a solid partnership with which to face the challenges of life is a gift in itself. It takes commitment of course, including knowing the basic standards you need for a good relationship. 

Setting low relationship standards is better than not having anything at all. If you have had too many past failed relationships due to above-average standards, it’s time to change that.

There may come a point in your life when you realize the importance of having a bare minimum in a relationship so that you will have more chances of making it work.

Examples of bare minimum in a relationship

Here are some examples of dating standards wherein you will have a higher chance of turning it into a fruitful and worthwhile relationship. You have to set the following relationship standards when meeting, dating, or having a serious commitment with someone

• Someone who gives compliments without being asked
• Someone who doesn’t have an addiction or would borrow money to finance their vices
• A person who respects your boundaries
• A person who always asks how your day has been and listen when you answer
• Someone who doesn’t judge people by race or color
• A person who doesn’t demand to know all your passwords or snoop through your phone
• Someone who likes cuddling or talking when you’re together than scrolling through their phone
• Someone who is completely over with their ex
• A person without a savior complex
• A person who can support your advocacies or at least doesn’t discourage you from joining groups
• Someone who encourages you to do your best 
• Someone who always supports you to reach your goals
• A person who won’t hesitate to share their thoughts when you’re making life decisions
• A person who will stand up for you and the relationship when things get tough
• Someone sensitive about how you feel
• Someone who won’t compare you to other people
• A person who says sorry when they are wrong
• A person who always finds time to be with you
• A person who remembers your birthday or at least keeps it listed where they can be reminded
• Someone who doesn’t shame you in any way in front of other people or when you’re together
• Someone who makes you feel special and not used when in bed
• Someone who does not only talk about themselves or refuses to listen when you’re talking

Meaning of bare minimum for a guy

Giving compliments doesn’t take much. You won’t even have to sweat to appreciate your girl. 

It’s not like asking you to be Prince Charming suddenly. You can still make your partner feel special without losing your authenticity.

You can begin by sticking to the basics. Here are some examples of dating standards for guys of doing the bare minimum but still making their date or partner feel like they are not neglected:

1. Compliment

Giving compliments is not doing a lot. You won’t even have to sweat to appreciate your girl. 

You can simply look at her and compliment her hair, how she exerted effort in her makeup, what a lovely outfit she’s wearing, and so on.

The fact is that she exerted effort to look pretty. The least you can do is appreciate the effort. It’s still doing the bare minimum without letting it show.

2. Be courteous

Many men have forgotten the simple courtesies that used to be part of the standards in a relationship when your parents or grandparents were still dating. It is not as if the girl expects too much in a relationship. 

Some of them may even get surprised by gestures, such as holding the door open for her or moving to the dangerous side when you’re crossing the street. 

Although, for many women, this can also come across as patronizing. So, remember that the intention is to show care and attention. How you want to do that is up to you and what you believe she wants. 

Making this a part of your relationship standards list will make you look good in the eyes of the girl and those who see you doing such a thing. 

This bare minimum in a relationship will make your girl feel loved while proving to the world that chivalry is not dead.

3. Speak

Many guys find this hard to do, especially when they realize the relationship isn’t worth pursuing. No matter how you view the girl or define standards in a relationship, it would help if you spoke your mind.

What is the bare minimum in a relationship? Talking must always be on top of the list in answering the question. 

No matter how you feel, it is better if you tell the other person about it. This way, both of you can get enlightened and understand each other better or move forward if that’s what you want to happen.

24 bare minimum relationship standards you have to set

What is the bare minimum in a relationship? First, make sure you don’t expect people to be someone they are not. From there, it’s much easier to be happy and content.  Secondly, make sure you follow the basic requirements for any mutually beneficial connection. 

In other words, kindness, respect, and listening are all keys to making people feel good, including yourself. 

To set standards in a relationship, here are 24 examples of the bare minimum in a relationship you have to set:

1. Knowing where the relationship stands and where it is heading

Regarding relationship standards, both people committed to it must let their partners know what kind of relationship this is. While some adults of this generation want to keep things informal or casual, the point will come when you have to decide how to move things from one point to another.

It can never be stuck at one point. It will not work that way. This bare minimum in a relationship will help the partnership grow by understanding one another better.

2. Be attracted to the person

Attraction is a big part of a thriving relationship. Your partner doesn’t have to be the most good-looking person in the world. But you have to find something in them you can’t resist. 

Research shows that attraction is usually based on physical attraction and reciprocity primarily.

Attraction is a bare minimum, meaning in relationships, it will strengthen your bond and make the partnership more exciting.

3. Respect

Asking for the bare minimum in a relationship mandatorily includes respect. Aside from being part of a partnership, the two people in a relationship are individual beings first and foremost. 

You no longer need to ask what’s the bare minimum in a relationship; you have to give respect to people no matter who they are. And this also goes with the person you are in a relationship with.

4. Don’t make your partner feel like they are Plan B

Instead of asking what the bare minimum in a relationship is, you should start questioning why you committed in the first place. 

It’s never right to make the other person feel you chose them for convenience. It’s part of the low standards in a relationship, and no one deserves such treatment.

5. Make the other person feel like you chose them

It still defines the bare minimum meaning in relationships. It won’t take too much effort to make the other person feel like they are chosen.

Instead of making them feel like you are settling for less, you must let them know that you’d choose them even when presented with other options. And if you are settling for less, it’s time to self-reflect on your approach to life and how you interact in relationships. 

6. Be there

How we show up for people comes across in our words and actions. The aim is to remember what your partner needs from you as much as you remember your own needs. 

Some examples of the bare minimum in a relationship include reading your partner’s messages, replying to their texts, remembering their birthdays, and so on. 

The bare minimum meaning in a relationship must always have the cliche – the little things matter.

7. Be clear

Before taking the relationship any further, you must let the other person know about your intent. Never leave them guessing because they might see your signs differently, which may lead to arguments and misunderstandings.

8. Accept

Acceptance is the bare minimum in a relationship. It’s something that you should do even when nobody tells you to. In short, it’s about seeing people for who they are and not wishing that they should be this or should be that. 

Watch Jim Anderson, a happily married man, and father to four daughters, explaining how acceptance is the first step in love:

9. Stop finding faults in your partner

You have to be clear, especially when there are misunderstandings. There are always two sides to every story. You both have to hear both sides instead of pointing fingers at who’s at fault.

10. Be real

Expecting too much in a relationship isn’t fair. When you lay your authentic self on a relationship table, your partner will not have an excuse to accuse you of not being real.

Being real can be difficult if you don’t feel comfortable or want to impress the other person. But the more you work towards it, the less frustration you will feel with the world and your partner. 

11. Don’t be controlling

How can you respect your partner and the relationship if you want things to always go according to your rules? There are two people in the partnership. The bare minimum in a relationship must always include both people in planning and decision-making.

12. Don’t be controlled

If you want to be respected, you have to act the part. Never allow your partner to control the relationship by keeping your silence when you ought to speak out. 

This works both ways, and again, it means letting go of the need that people should be or should do, this or that. 

13. Not just sex

It’s okay if the two people enter a sexual relationship without strings attached. You are adults. You know what you want. If this is your bare minimum in a relationship, so be it.

However, it’s different when you expect more from a relationship. You may be attracted to your partner enough to agree to have a sexual relationship. But the relationship won’t progress if you allow yourself to be used despite your inner turmoil and knowing deep inside that you want more.

14. Get satisfied in bed

After discussing what you want to happen in a relationship, and both people consent to have sex, that part of the partnership should be satisfying. You both have to enjoy having sex. Otherwise, expect the relationship to go downhill from here.

15. Throw away your excess baggage

No matter how good your past relationship was, it’s over. Please leave it in the past where it belongs. This is often easier said than done, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help to process that excess baggage. 

Carrying around the baggage from your past may weigh down your current relationship and the hopes of a better future. 

16. Commit

Commitment is always part of the answer to what is the bare minimum in a relationship. Without commitment, there is no relationship.

An agreement on the mutual terms of commitment is essential for any relationship to flourish. 

17. Be loyal

No matter how liberated you are, when you commit to a relationship with one person, you must stay true to the commitment. If you aren’t ready for something serious, don’t commit yet. It is as simple as that.

18. Be equals

Both people involved in a relationship have something to give and reasons to make the partnership crumble. Never act as if you are the boss. This will indeed not work in a healthy relationship. 

19. Look for factors that make you compatible

You may differ in many ways, but relationships last longer when partners feel the same way about many things.

Try to find things you have in common with each other, as these will help you connect with each other even when there are arguments and disagreements. 

20. Talk

Never leave your partner in the dark about anything. It’s a bare minimum in a relationship to say what you want and how you feel.

21. Security

In a relationship, security means feeling safe and knowing that your partner is there for you, no matter what. It’s about trust and knowing that you can rely on each other during challenging times. 

Just like a cozy blanket on a cold night, emotional security in a relationship provides warmth and comfort.

22. Growth

Healthy relationships encourage personal and mutual growth. This means supporting each other’s dreams and ambitions, whether it’s pursuing a career, learning a new skill, or simply becoming better versions of yourselves. It’s like being two trees in a forest that grow taller together, reaching new heights side by side.

23. Kindness

Kindness is the glue that holds a relationship together. It’s about treating each other with respect, compassion, and consideration. Acts of kindness can be as simple as a heartfelt compliment or as significant as offering a helping hand when your partner is struggling. 

Think of it as the sweet gestures that keep the love flowing.

24. Shared goals

Having shared goals means having a common vision for the future. It’s like charting a course together on a grand adventure. Whether it’s planning a family, traveling the world, or building a life together, shared goals provide direction and purpose to your relationship, making the journey even more exciting.

Commonly asked questions

Relationship dynamics vary, and understanding the difference between a bare minimum and a healthy relationship is vital. Here are answers to common questions

• What is the difference between a bare minimum relationship and a healthy relationship?

A healthy relationship is built on mutual respect, communication, and emotional support. In contrast, a bare minimum relationship lacks these essential elements, often leading to dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

• How do you know if you are in a bare minimum relationship?

Signs include neglect, lack of emotional connection, and feeling unfulfilled. If your needs and feelings are consistently ignored, it may be a bare minimum relationship.

• Is it okay to stay in a bare minimum relationship?

Staying in such a relationship isn’t advisable long-term. However, addressing issues and seeking improvement through communication and therapy can be considered.

• How do you talk to your partner about your needs in a relationship?

Open, honest conversations are crucial. Express your needs and feelings calmly, emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding and growth.

• How do you end a bare minimum relationship?

Ending a relationship is difficult but sometimes necessary for personal growth and happiness. Seek support from friends, family, or a therapist, and prioritize your well-being in the process.

Setting the right standards

A relationship will last longer if both people involved know where they stand and where they will go. 

If you find yourself stuck and cannot even meet eye-to-eye in terms of the bare minimum in a relationship, it is best to go through counseling to save the partnership before more things go wrong.