People assume I am married...?

You didn't specify age (not that it much matters I guess), I am 42 y.o. male and have the same situation basically. Been with the same person for over 5 years now and still struggle with this, though it's getting easier. *lil sidenote here for all those wondering, yes we would get married but situation as it is, we are not going too any time soon. Any way being aged as we are we get this all the time, in our minds we are married just not in the "eyes of god" or "the law" though common law in most states is seven years I believe. It boils down to your own feelings, lifestyle, and beliefs really. When we first got together I would always make it a point to correct the person, interupting the conversation for correction is not good form, as you already pointed out. As time went on I just let it go. Now it's to the point where I'll call her wife, girlfriend, old lady (please no offense meant to anyone, ppl who know me know I say this with all due respect) I actually use this term alot, though it does seem to offend. She doesn't mind as she's 6 months older then I am, and then she calls me old man (why is beyond me). There's no easy answer that I have found, if you're living like you are married then as far as neighbors, friends, family, are concerned then you are. If they ask to see the paper work tell them the dog ate it after you let the children color on it while eating spaghetti. Hope this helps. **SWEET MILDRED IS MY LEADER..CRAWL INTO HER PLAYPEN WITH ME ***

Ive been in that situation.

I am married for the second time, and we lived together for a year beforehand with my 2 daughters from my previous marriage.

People always assumed we were married.........and NOw we are actually married, they assume that he's the girls father.

I dont even bother correcting anyone anymore, and the girls just introduce him as dad, because they get sick of explaining, the whole step thing. My ex and my new husband get along fine, so neither one have any issues.

Maybe you could scratch your face or move your hair or do something with the hand that is supposed to be the wedding ring hand so that people can see that you don't have a wedding ring and therefore not ask.

Like you could rub your eye or something or pretend there's something on your lip or your chin.. something to draw their attention to your hand.

And if they still ask just respond with a smile that you're happily unmarried to the father of two wonderful children and then change the subject to your kids or to the person who asked.

That should shut them up and they won't think you're rude either.

If you didn't tell people you are married, how are you lying to them? How are you misleading them? People are quick to make judgment's about everything. That is not your responsibility to worry about other peoples stories. You could drive yourself crazy worrying about what others are thinking. Unless, you are having an issue that you are living with him and you are not engaged or married, then that is another question. By the way, my wife and I dated for 9 years before we got married. People always called her my wife and we did not live together. I didn't care. I felt married anyway. I wasn't seeing anyone else. Unless, that is what you are asking (being able to see someone else)?

Some religions like 7th day Adventist's don't believe in rings (though they are more accepting now). I walked through the mall with my sis after my nephew was born and people thought we were married even though they should have seen the resemblance b/t me and her. Don't say a thing unless it is someone you know. Say thank you and move on.

Am an african, our culture doesnt really allow us to live with another person of the opposite sex who is not family till marriage. So yes, even my parents referred to my gf as my wife when we were living together.

Just say his my partner. You don't need to explain yourself or feel like you have to apply a label like husband, de facto, boyfriend or fiance. It really is not their business what your relationship status is. Partner coves it all with out having to say "we are not married".