Want to know if someone is in a relationship? Just look on Facebook and you'll have your answer. These days, defining your relationship with your significant other means changing your Facebook Relationship Status to one of the many options. The choices are vast: In a relationship, Married, Engaged, Single, or It's Complicated (if any fun new statuses come out since my departure from the book, please be sure to let me know). As if relationships aren't complex enough, is posting your status on Facebook making it any easier?
My friend, let's call him, Shawn, told me that his buddy recently started dating this girl. They had been seeing each other for a few weeks when Shawn asked his friend how everything was going with the girl. The friend told him that he kind of liked her, but he wasn't sure if it was really going anywhere. Shawn's response was, "Oh, that's funny. According to her relationship status on Facebook, she is now 'In a Relationship'!" Needless to say, Shawn's buddy freaked out and stopped calling the girl immediately. Although, I don't condone this behavior, I do find the whole situation rather funny.
Of course, I had a few questions when Shawn told me this story. I wanted to feel bad for the girl before thinking that she was a whacko. What would make her think they were in a relationship? Did she genuinely believe it was a good idea to post this status without talking to the guy first? All of that aside, what in the world is leading people to be so pre-occupied with Facebook that it's the first place they go to share the news of their budding (or in this case, dying) relationship?
I eventually figured out the answer to my own question. It's not about whether you are in a relationship or not, it's about status. Our whole Facebook driven society needs everyone knowing their status at all times. If someone is "Single", he or she wants their ex to know they no longer need them (or at least are pretending not to need them). If someone is "In a Relationship", he or she wants the world to know they are no longer alone. But, the one that really gets me is, "It's Complicated". Why would you share intimate details of your relationship so freely with the general public? You're having problems, sorry, don't publicize it, do something about it. Just a thought, if your relationship is actually complicated, maybe sharing with the rest of the world is the reason it's not working.
The next time you decide to change your relationship status, stop and think for a second. What are your reasons for actually changing it? If they are legit, go for it, if they are for the benefit of others, try to restrain yourself. A relationship is sacred, it belongs to two people, not millions.
