No strings attached relations seem to be an invention of the last 15 years or so. The idea of being able to see other people whilst you have no strings attached sex with people is an ideal where you get the best of both worlds; you get your independence along with regular sex. But can it really work without someone eventually getting hurt. The idea is great but it always seems to be that one end of the relationship ends up getting hurt because they fall for the other, whilst the other one of the couple is quite happy to keep their independence and go out without getting their heart broken. It is often the solution of two friends who decide they are fed up of getting hurt in relationships so they decide to only take the best elements of a relationship and become friends with benefits. Or maybe they just have no strings attached sex as demonstrated in Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher's latest film.
Another variation is two strangers just hooking up' every now and then in order to have sex. As I say it seems to have been a topic conjured up in the last decade and a half to make it socially acceptable. But can it actually work with both parts remaining mutually unattached. Not normally is the answer as it requires two people to have the exact same feelings towards each other for a substantial amount of time. Eventually one of the pair normally decide they are going to enter another relationship in which they want exclusivity and no just sex like the previous encounter, this obviously requires a severance of ties with the existing partner and the fun is over which doesn't always go down so well.
It can work but it takes an open mind and a relaxed attitude to what the actual arrangement is in the relationship. You have no structure to when you will see each other nor to what you do when you together, don't expect intimacy or closeness because it's more than likely you won't get it, if however it is just sex you want then it might be for you. But can it really work without someone getting hurt that's a question I cannot answer.