I also know others who met the same fate.

I also kept hearing "Don't knock it till you try it" so when I was finally single again myself, I tried it with another couple and a guy we picked up along the way. It was the MOST unappealing experience I've ever had! And I am VERY sexually liberated! I was very turned off by the other couple. I am not bi at all. It was very freaky to have all of the three other people going at me at once! For me, sex should be between two people--one on one. It's just too distracting having this one here, that one there. You need to have a connection. I've also had plenty of one night stands and enjoyed them, so that wasn't even the problem. It was the mess of bodies, and lack of connection. Very disjointed.

But I would not discourage someone outside of a committed relationship from trying it.

I DEFINTELY would NOT risk ruining a relationship for something that you likely will not even enjoy. I really suspect most people who say they enjoy this just feel compelled to say it.

Finally, if you must, I would much prefer an open relationship than a swinging one. Or just the old-fashioned have an affair, no questions asked. But to witness someone you love having sex with someone else would really be devastating and the reason I went and "researched" this was so I would NEVER be talked into it like a friend who was--like an idiot--and ruined her 10 year marriage.