Do polyamorous individuals have to have their partners interact with one another, or is it that they don’t have to have anything to do with each other?

I always say there are as many ways to be poly as there are poly people. There’s no set of laws governing how polyamory works - each person, and each network, has to figure out what works best for them.

Some poly people are uncomfortable if their partners don’t get along, and it’s an integral part of their poly experience to have a cozy, well-connected network. Other people prefer to keep their relationships primarily separated, for whatever reason. Others exist somewhere along this spectrum, where they appreciate partner interaction, but aren’t fussed about situations that prevent it.

Of course, it can be very difficult when two people in the same poly network actively don’t get along, or when someone doesn’t think one of their partner’s partners is healthy for them. But as long as an arrangement works for everyone, there are lots of different ways to handle interactions between partners. I hope that answers your question!