When does girlfriend/boyfriend become partner?

[Gargamel]

I have noticed at work that often employees who are about 30 years old or over refer to the person they are with as 'partner' i.e. "my partner bought me this etc." I am 22 and I always say 'girlfriend' and my friends who are the same age do the same. Is there a certain age that 'partner' becomes the more appropriate word (more sophisticated)? I used to think that when someone said 'partner' there was a good chance that they were gay (like they were hiding something). This is wrong because the people I know at work are definitely not gay. What is going on?

 

[mantis]

I think you will find that they become partners once they start cohabitating, well that is what I have found.

 

[Beausgirl43]

cheers ... Kaz

 

[The Hitman]

Originally posted by mantis
I think you will find that they become partners once they start cohabitating, well that is what I have found.

That's the one.

The Hitman

 

[Stealth bomber]

I use "partner" the majority of the time. I guess I do because to me it means a more serious relationship. I tend to think of "girlfriend" as something more casual, without a long-term commitment.

I am getting married soon to my lover of four years, so I don't feel that "girlfriend" is appropriate in my situation.

These definitions certainly don't have to be taken as absolute truth, but it's just my own interpretation, I suppose.