We for the most part call ourselves polyswingers.
We socially swing (just for the fun) and yet are open to and sometimes wanting deeper and more emotionally satisfying relationships.
So.... what are the big differences between the swingers lifestyle and that of polyamory?
Swinging is for the most part based on sex and physical pleasure with all else being secondary.
Most couples who enter swinging wish only the fulfillment of sexual fantasy and needs they may not be able to realize in a traditional relationship. They try to stay as uninvolved emotionally with their chosen sex partners as possible.
It is as impersonal as something like this can ever be.
Polyamory on the other hand is based on emotion and feelings of the most personal kind. It is not about sex with other people although as in most intimate relationships the sex part is very important.
In seeking polyamory a person is seeking loves.
Yes - real LOVE!
well ..... a crush is just fine I suppose :)
The reality of it all though is that most fall someplace between the two.
Self identified swingers who wish to be friends outside of swinging and poly people who consider half an hour of talking all it takes to know a person well enough to "be in love".
The only real difference when you are not looking at the extream ends of the poly swinger spectrum is that of self identity and in some cases personal motive.
This is all in my own opinion of course.