I’m sure we’ve all seen the Dr. Phil episode where the “other woman” willingly wants to confront her lover and his wife on national television. Affairs happen all the time, but what happens when you are the one involved in that affair? -Do you really think it’s the best idea to be involved with someone else’s boyfriend or girlfriend? Because I don’t, and I’ll be the first to tell you.

Being the other person is never a good idea. There are so many factors you have to watch out for so you won’t slip up. –

You have to worry about not getting caught up, keeping it a secret, not getting too attached, making sure you never run into your lover’s significant other and so much more substance and worry that must be dealt with in order to keep your secret lover a secret.-

Think about it: Is there a trail leading back to your lover’s significant other?-

“It’s completely wrong, but if you do plan on being the other person, be smart about it,” said undeclared sophomore Brian Miller.

This is a small world, and everyone knows someone’s best friend, cousin, sister’s boyfriend or niece who lived two houses down from your lover’s significant other.

How can someone completely disregard another person’s feelings and fool around with his or her boyfriend or girlfriend?- It is total disrespect to mess around with someone, knowing damn well they are involved in a relationship.-

You kind of have to think of that cliche your mom used to tell you, “How would you feel if someone did it to you?” You would like to believe the garbage they tell you: that they’re going to leave their relationship and be with you is all true and real, but, seriously, why leave when they can have their cake and eat it too?

Junior interior design major Danielle Low said she agrees that being the other woman can only lead to disaster.

“Why would you want to put yourself in that situation,” Low asked. “Dating someone else’s boyfriend or girlfriend is just a recipe for greater troubles to come. It’s the same rules with dating a friend’s ex, you just don’t do it.”

No matter who the other person is, starting up a fling with someone who is already involved brings damage to not only the situation you’ve created, but to yourself. What makes you think if he or she cheats with you, that he or she won’t cheat on you?- Take off those rose-tinted glasses and get some clarity in your thoughts, but watch out for the fist coming your way because, at any moment, your secret can be let out bare for the world to see and judge.-

If you decide not to listen to a word I say and get involved in a sticky situation, then by all means do what you’ve got to do.

But don’t act surprised when it all comes crashing down and feelings and emotions are all over and you are left alone wiping your own tears. —

The suspense and excitement only lasts so long. Soon, things will get more uncomfortable and a bit more difficult to hide. You, as the other person, get the butt of everything. The thrill-seeking “situation” you are in dies after the person you’re with get used to you and there is no more excitement left in your new and different “situation” you threw yourself in.

He or she will cancel on you, put you aside and find another piece of cake he or she can indulge in. The forbidden fruit doesn’t taste that great when it’s rotten, holey and bitter.

Rosa Pastran can be reached at [email protected]