Farhad-Sajid Monbiot

Typically, being referred to as a lover means that your partner sees you as someone he can have short term fun with. It indicates that his interest in you is primarily sexual in nature and that he’s simply looking for a no-strings-attached, noncommittal arrangement.

The level of commitment and expectations that come with being someone’s lover differs vastly from that of a girlfriend. Make sure you understand these differences before entering a relationship.

Understanding the differences will help ensure your needs and wants are met and that the two of you are on the same page. If you happen to be on different pages, you’re then at least given the option to walk away before finding yourself in a romantic situation you don’t want to be in or were ignorant about.

There are some key differences to take note of when comparing a lover to a girlfriend that we will delve into throughout this guide.

Being someone’s boyfriend or girlfriend typically means the intention is there for the relationship to be long-lasting. If your partner has formally asked you out, it shows a level of commitment on their end to be with you for the foreseeable future. Boyfriends and girlfriends might have long-term relationships or even become life partners.

On the contrary, being called someone’s lover means the intention is just to have fun in the moment, or for as long as things remain easy and convenient. This is a more casual relationship with short-term goals only.

With commitment comes dependability. As someone’s boyfriend or girlfriend, you are able to depend on your partner a lot more than as someone’s lover.

Whether you need emotional support, financial support, someone to support you in reaching your goals, or just a friend who you can rely on and laugh with, your boyfriend or girlfriend will be there for you, provided you’re in a healthy relationship.

There are some simple things you can depend on a boyfriend or girlfriend for that one often takes for granted, like being picked up from the airport, asking for everyday advice, and being taken care of when you’re sick.

Lovers generally don’t depend on each other when it comes to anything beyond physical intimacy. Your lover is typically someone you call on for a good time, which generally includes sexual intimacy.

Many of us understand just how much emotional energy, time, sacrifice, and commitment goes into making a long-distance relationship work, which makes it easy to understand why a romantic relationship like this would only work if two people are genuinely committed to and love each other.

Fortunately, with advances in technology, things like video calls, texting, and air travel make long-distance relationships a little easier. Generally speaking, a boyfriend or girlfriend would opt to stay in a long-distance relationship in the hopes of being connected again in the near future.

Contrary to the above, making a long-distance relationship work requires emotional depth and commitment, which generally isn’t what a relationship as lovers is all about. Lovers usually only want to have some light-hearted fun in the spur of the moment.

There’ll come a point in any serious relationship where compromise and sacrifice will be required between partners to make things work. This is normal. Things like time, money, lifestyle choices, religious views, and where you choose to live may at one point or another all need some level of compromise.

In casual relationships or flings, however, serious sacrifice is seldom needed.

It’s unlikely that lovers will get to the point in their relationship or interactions with each other where this will be required and, if it does, the interaction is then more likely to end than for compromises to be made.

A relationship between lovers is a surface-level relationship where partners generally want a drama-free, no-strings-attached sort of relationship and because of this, it’ll rarely get to the point where serious adjustment is required.

Convenience, physical intimacy, and drama-free fun are the hallmarks of a lover relationship. While these relationships certainly have their benefits, they are typically also fleeting. A lover is also unlikely to stick with you through tough times simply because it’s inconvenient and isn’t aligned with what they’re looking for.

While an official relationship also involves a great deal of physical intimacy and fun, there’s a level of emotional depth, dependability, care, and concern for each other that goes beyond what’s convenient. An official relationship is more than skin deep.

In a lover relationship, you might also find that they only speak to you, call you, or text you when it’s convenient and/or when they are looking for a good time.

Keep in mind that if you’re involved in someone’s life as their lover, there’s likely to be very little commitment in the relationship. Plans together might be changed or canceled at the last minute and, at times, you might be dropped with very little or no explanation as to why.

The truth is, there’s simply no level of commitment to a lover and when things become boring or complicated, your partner is likely to move on in pursuit of the next best thing or person. For this reason, many people find it emotionally taxing to be considered a lover and nothing more.

When you’re someone’s boyfriend or girlfriend, there is a sense of duty and commitment. In a healthy relationship, you’ll have a feeling that your partner has your back and prioritizes your wants and needs.

In an official, intimate relationship there’ll be some big and exciting milestones to look forward to. Things like going on holiday together, moving in together, buying your first home and car together, and maybe even getting married and having children are some of the things you might look forward to.

Contrary to the above, a lover relationship isn’t one where big milestones will be celebrated together, simply because you aren’t involved in each other’s lives to this extent or this deeply and intimately.

Communication with a lover will be vastly different from communication with a boyfriend or girlfriend. When communicating with a lover, it’ll predominantly be small talk and surface-level stuff. Conversations with a lover will rarely become deep and emotionally engaging.

On the other hand, communication in a committed relationship is one of the key aspects of a healthy, functional union. It will cover everything from day-to-day chit-chat to deep and meaningful conversations. From time to time, healthy communication can expose your vulnerable side or even help you come to certain internal realizations.

There is a big difference between being someone’s lover and being someone’s partner when it comes to expectations. A lover’s expectations generally don’t extend far beyond the bedroom - it’s all about sexual pleasure and the occasional carefree fun.

Being someone’s partner comes with additional expectations, like consistent communication, emotional support, physical touch and intimacy, and shared responsibilities.

There is definitely greater expectation put on a boyfriend or girlfriend in a relationship than on a lover.

Because lovers keep a no-strings-attached policy where things remain light, easy, and relatively free of expectations and emotions, chances are a relationship as lovers will be drama-free. That is, of course, unless someone develops feelings and starts wanting more than the other one can give.

In a serious relationship, emotions may run high from time to time, giving rise to additional drama. This is normal and to be expected in any long-term commitment where two people need to compromise and find a happy balance.

Unconditional love, jealousy, anger, frustration, joy, excitement, and a host of other emotions, both positive and negative, will occasionally rise up in a committed relationship. It’s normal to feel a vast array of deep and complex emotions in this sort of union.

As lovers, feelings will rarely become deep and complex. Your interactions will usually be marked by physical attraction, fun, and lust.

As mentioned, sex is the main driving force behind a relationship as lovers. Your relationship and time together will predominantly be physical in nature with very little time and energy spent connecting emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.

Reversely, a boyfriend and girlfriend’s connection is deeper in that it merges physical intimacy with emotional, spiritual, and intellectual intimacy.

Another difference between a lover and an official partner is that as a girlfriend or boyfriend, you’ll be introduced to each other’s friends, families, and work colleagues. You’ll know someone is serious about you when they introduce you to these people.

As a lover, you might feel like you’re being hidden away to an extent. You’re unlikely to meet any of the important people in your lover’s life because of the pressure that’ll put on the relationship to be more serious than it is.

Moving in with your partner is a big milestone in an intimate relationship and often one that requires a great deal of planning and compromise. It’s also something new couples look forward to while dating. Moving in together signifies that a couple is serious about their relationship and their future together.

Furthermore, moving in together is an emotional commitment that will require compromise, patience, and kindness. Simply put, living together is an adjustment that’s not always easy and because of this, it’s generally not something lovers will do.

Entering a relationship where your expectation is to be someone’s boyfriend or girlfriend only to find out they only see you as a lover can lead to feelings of disappointment and sadness.

As someone’s lover you may feel overlooked from time to time. You may even begin to feel that your relationship is unfulfilling as your overall well-being takes a backseat and the focus remains primarily on sex.

On the contrary, in a committed relationship, partners endeavor to fill each other’s cups by taking a keen interest in each other’s mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. Partners may even have shared goals and dreams that they work on achieving together.

In my opinion, being honest and transparent about what you want out of a relationship from the get-go is very important. First off, make sure you know what you’re looking for, want, and need yourself and then make sure you communicate this. Even if you’ve just started speaking to someone on a dating app, be upfront from the beginning.

Being honest about what you want from a relationship ensures that no time is wasted with the wrong people. It gives you a better chance of finding the right person for you. It also means that no unrealistic expectations are set, avoiding potential disappointments and heartache down the line.

Generally speaking, the main differences between a casual relationship and a committed relationship is the amount of time you spend with each other, the long-term goals of the relationship, and the boundaries and expectations.

More so, a lover is someone who you might be sexually involved with, without any hopes of taking things further. It’s someone you keep around for the good times only.

On the other hand, your official partner is someone you’re likely to invest a great deal of time and energy on. It’s someone who you care about physically and emotionally. Naturally, serious relationships go through ups and downs as the two of you grow and become stronger together.

Being transparent from the get-go is important in any relationship! Communicate your wants, needs, and expectations with your partner. Transparency and honesty will give you a good chance at finding someone whose views and values are aligned with yours which means a happier future for all.

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In the middle of Central Asia, there is a young country called Uzbekistan. After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Uzbekistan became independent and has been building its national identity ever since. The Silk Road was an important part of the history of Uzbekistan, as it was an important passage for caravans that traveled between Europe and Asia.

Merchants from all over the world came to Samarkand and Khiva to fill the streets with their goods. The emergence of alternative shipping routes in the 15th century caused a decline in the region's importance.

The majority of the population is of ethnic Uzbek, a group of people who have adopted a Turkic language similar to Turkish and Azerbaijani. The border areas of Afghanistan and Tajikistan are also home to the Uzbeks.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, ethnic Russians left the country and now make up 5% of the population, although they formed 15% of the population during the Soviet era. The deportation of 200,00 Soviet Koreans to the country in the 1930s caused the third largest minority to be people of Korean ethnicity. The Tajiks, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz are some of the important minorities in the country. The majority of the population of Uzbekistan is Sunni Muslim, which is more liberal than other nearby countries due to the influence of the state of the soviet union.

After the post-Soviet crisis, the economy of Uzbekistan has been developed. The quality of life of the people of Uzbekistan has improved due to the abundance of natural resources, including gold and natural gas. Tourism is extremely limited.

The architectural remains of the Silk Road are the main attraction for tourists who come to the country, but there are also people who come for adventure tourism in the mountainous areas.

The region that is now known as Uzbekistan was under Persian influence for a long time.

The Persians opened new trade routes in order to improve the transfer of goods, which led to the creation of cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. The Hellenic armies of Alexander the Great temporarily subdued the regions of Sogdiana and Bactria, but later gave way to some Greek-influenced kingdoms. The region known as Transoxania was conquered by both the Parthian and Sasanian empires. The dominance of Islam in the region allowed for an expansion of culture and science.

The new tribes had control of the region. After the dynasties of Turkish origin that conquered the area (Mamluks and Seljuks), a brief empire was established in Jorasmia, south of the Aral Sea, which was defeated by the troops of Genghis Khan at the beginning of the 13th century.

Most of the troops of the Mongols were of Turkish origin and the invasion established a hegemony that would last for centuries. Tamerlane was able to impose his rule over the Central Asian region after the death of Genghis Khan. Thousands of artists, craftsmen, scholars and scientists from all over the world were summoned by Tamerlane to Samarkand.

The invasion of the Uzbeks from the north of the Aral Sea was caused by Tamerlane's death.

The fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans forced Europe to seek new trade routes with the East, which reduced the relevancy of Central Asia. The conflict between the kingdoms of Bukhara and Khorasmia with Iran led to the isolation and weakness of the region. Russian merchants began to expand their influence in Central Asia by the 18th century, and the major cities of present-day Uzbekistan were conquered in the 19th century.

After the Russian revolution, the entire Turkestan region became part of the Soviet Union and in 1924 the Uzbekistan Soviet Socialist Republic was created.

The soviet government was in power until 1991, when independence was declared. Islam Karimov, a former communist, won the first elections in 1995 and has held power ever since. The elections do not meet democratic standards because there is a strong dominance of the State.

The epicenter of the Central Asian region is located on a plateau between the Sir Daria and Amu Daria rivers. It has an extension from the east to the west and from the north to the south with a surface area of .

Most of the country's rivers are endorheic and do not flow into the sea. The terrain is very arid, with some desert regions to the north and west.

Many rivers have been diverted to increase fertility in some areas in order to overcome aridity and expand cotton crops. Desertification has expanded in areas that don't receive enough irrigation. The Aral Sea, once the second largest lake in the world, has completely dried up in the western part of the country.

To the east of the country, the terrain becomes mountainous and marks the border with the neighboring republics of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

The Fergan Valley is highlighted by the fertile valleys among those mountains.

The climate of Uzbekistan is very cold. It is advisable to visit the country in the fall or the spring, since it is possible to visit at any time of the year.

The temperature in the winter is between 10C and -8C, but by the end of April it is already possible to wear clothes for the summer.

The temperature in April can be between 20 and 25C.

In the summer season in Uzbekistan, temperatures can range from 35C to 45C. In this period, hot and dry winds blow, which make the temperature reach 45C in the shade, in some regions of the country. The most pleasant weather arrives after the chillya, when the temperature is still quite hot, but in the afternoon and at night it becomes cooler. Autumn is warm and generous in Uzbekistan.

The temperature does not drop below 10C until the end of November.

Make sure you have the necessary documentation to enter the country before you go.

The citizens of 9 countries have free access for 90 days or more. The entry process for the rest of the citizens is complex and expensive, but not impossible to solve. It is recommended that you consult the details with a travel agency or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs because the rules can change at any time. The entire visa process can be done by some agencies.

You have to apply for your visa on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Once the form is completed, you should go to the nearest Uzbek embassy. It is important to note that the country does have embassies in Europe and the US, but not in Latin America, and that the closest missions are in Washington DC and New York. Along with two copies of the online form, you must also bring a recent passport photo and a copy of your full passport.

It is highly recommended to present an invitation letter, which can be obtained relatively easily through a travel agency or when booking a hotel for more than three days. The citizens of Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Japan, Malaysia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom did not need to present this letter at the beginning of 2015.

The number of days of validity and the number of possible re-entries affect the cost of a visa. It is possible to get transit visas for up to 72 hours, but you need a visa from a neighboring country. You must go to the office at the airport to extend the visa once you are in Uzbekistan.

If you want to stay more days, you can request a new visa in a neighboring country, such as Kazakhstan.

You must register with the authorities within the first 3 days of your stay. If you are in a house, this procedure can be very bureaucratic, but if you are in a hotel, it is usually carried out by those in charge of the premises.

Many airports in Uzbekistan have international services to various locations in Russia, including Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The main gateway to the country and the one that receives the most airlines is theTAS. The airport's infrastructure is modern and comfortable, despite the slow service.

Uzbekistan Airlines, the national airline, has frequent services to Tashkent from several cities in Europe (highlighting Istanbul, Frankfurt, Geneva, London, Milan, Paris, Riga and Rome), Asia (Bangkok, Beijing, Delhi, Dubai, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo, among others), as well as cities in the former Soviet Union (such as Almaty, Astana, Baku, Bishkek, kyiv, Moscow or Saint Petersburg) and the only flight to America, which arrives in New York.

Other international airlines that arrive in Tashkent from its main hubs include the Russian Aeroflot, the South Korean Asiana, Korean Air, China Southern Airlines and the Turkish Turkish Airlines.

It is best to leave for Uzbekistan from Moscow or a nearby Soviet republic if you want to see a tourist destination.

One way to enter the country is by using the rail service that connects the towns of Russia and Kazakhstan to Moscow. Train 6 Uzbekistan leaves at 10:48 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and arrives in Tashkent at 5:33 PM on the following day.

It is necessary to have multiple entry visas to Russia to make this trip. The train has three classes and values that range from 22,000 to 45,000.

Ask at the city train station if there are any irregular train services between the two cities. It is possible to connect with the train that goes to Uzbekistan from Almaty.

There are several ways to connect the country of Uzbekistan with its neighbors. From Kazakhstan, the most used is the one that connects Shymkent with Tashkent; it is possible to travel by bus or marshrutka (shared taxi) from Shymkent to the border for less than $ 5 and from there, take a taxi across the border crossing to the Uzbek capital for about UZS 6000. The crossing is quite slow and it will take a long time to complete the entry procedures. The western section of the country has an alternative passage that connects the Karakalpakia region with Beyneu and the Caspian Sea, which is rarely used.

The eastern sector is much easier to pass through. There are multiple urban transport services that can take you to the border. It is easy to take a taxi to the city of Andijan in the south of the country from there. If you are in the capital of the Kyrgyz state of Bishkek, the buses will cross into the other side of the world, into the country of Kazakhstan.

It is possible to enter from the southeast. It is possible to take a bus or shared taxi to the city of Bostan for less than $10 from the city of Khojand. It is possible to take a bus or marshrutka service to Tashkent after crossing the pass, which takes 90 minutes. If you're in Dushambe, it's best to travel north to Penjikent and then cross the border to Samarkand for a few dollars. If you're going to Termiz, you can take a taxi from Dushambe to the Denau Pass.

It is possible to travel to Termiz from Afghanistan. The starting point for the route is Mazar e-Sharif, where you can take a taxi for $10 to the Friendship Bridge, which spans the Amur Darya River.

The journey from there to Termiz takes about 20 minutes in a shared taxi. The border crossing with Afghanistan is often closed for security reasons, so make sure to check the situation before planning your trip.

The most important airports in the country are Samarkand, Urgench, Navoy, and Fergana. Most of the routes between the capital and the other airports in the country are covered by Uzbekistan Airlines.

The plane is the most expensive mode of transport.

There are more than 6000 km of railways in the country. The train is cheap to visit the main cities of the country and it is very comfortable to travel at night, as it has bunk beds.

The high-speed service that was launched in 2011 allows travel between the two cities in less than two hours. The time it takes to travel from the capital to Urgench to the east is up to 23 hours.

The buses are more extensive than the train, and they reach all corners of the country. Sharing taxi services, called marshrutka, which are similar to the bus lines, are very common. You need to negotiate the price with the driver.

To avoid that the extra price you receive for being a tourist is not so high, find out in advance the values ​​that locals normally pay; you'll probably never be able to haggle down to that value, but it'll be better than the original price you're likely to be offered. If you can, take the passenger seat, it's more comfortable than the rear and you can travel through the desert in very high temperatures.

Although the routes in Uzbekistan have improved in recent times, it is still advisable to stay away from them, as they are not in good condition and can be difficult to navigate, either with a guide from the area or taking taxi services.

The official language of the country is Uzbek.

Arabic and Cyrillic script were used in the past, but the language is written in the Latin alphabet. The Latin alphabet was re-established in 1993 and replaced by Cyrillic in 2005, but there are still many signs and signs in Cyrillic in schools.

A large part of the population understands the Russian language.

Although it was discouraged as a way of promoting the national language after independence, it is still used today as a language of culture. It is also used as a way of communication between different ethnic groups.

Russian is heard more in the main cities and in some sectors of the northern area.

Due to the large number of ethnic Tajiks, it is possible to hear their language in the main tourist cities of the country, such as Samarkand and Bukhara. Similar to Kazakh, Karakalpako is spoken in the area.

The use of English is low.

The UZS is the official currency of the country. The government avoids acknowledging the problem of inflation by creating higher denominations of bills and coins. It is common to see 25 and 50 som coins in circulation, as well as 200, 500, 1000 and 5000 som notes, so be prepared to carry large amounts of notes.

The currency conversion was 2,500 UZS to 1 US dollar, but on the black market the values can be 50% more favorable.

It's easy to find places where you can exchange, such as bazaars or even at your own hotel, but be careful: there's always the danger of being caught or being scammed. If you want to change at a safe rate, you can go to a bank or exchange center, but you will have to pay the official rate. The best way to enter the country is with a foreign currency.

When entering the country, you must declare the amount of foreign currency you have entered, and keep a copy to make sure you don't have to pay customs. A copy of foreign exchange transactions is required.

It is important that you bring enough cash because many ATMs do not work due to lack of money. International credit cards are accepted in a few stores in the capital.

When you arrive in the country, use low denominations of dollars to pay for services such as taxis.

Carpets, embroidered cloth, tablecloths, dresses, hats, silk fabrics, gold and silverware, pottery and musical instruments are some of the products you can buy as a souvenir of your visit to Uzbekistan. You can find rugs made with wool or silk in the bazaars. The tradition of carpets dates back to the days of the Silk Road and it is in Bukhara that you will find the most variety of products. Spices and aromas are a star product of the bazaars and can be purchased during your visit.

You can buy a wide variety of jewelry in Uzbekistan, which is rich in minerals such as silver and gold. Don't be fooled by fakes.

There are multiple stores in the main cities that are specialized in souvenirs and department stores with a lot of products. There are small stalls around the city.

There are stalls of all kinds on the street behind Timur square in Tashkent.

Plov is the central dish of the cuisine and it is rich and varied. Similar to Valencian paella, it is a simple dish that is cooked in large pans. Rice is accompanied by beef, raisins, carrots, onion, garlic, and exotic spices.

It is sold on the street, near the bazaars, and in other places that are found when walking through the cities. It is accompanied by a salad of tomatoes, onion and some condiments such as fennel.

Its popularity extends to all classes being used in weddings, banquets and other celebrations.

The bread is important for the people of the country. It's almost a sacred product because of the legends and rules that surround it. The breads are shiny, circular, and have an excellent flavor.

They are made with wheat flour, some spices, and have semolina seeds on their surface. The bread is baked in a cone-shaped oven with a small hole at the top and placed on the inside walls.

Other featured dishes are: