The True Meaning Behind Facebook Relationship Status Updates
Changing Your Relationship Status
In the world of dating, the internet has helped improve dating in some ways. After all, many couples found each other using websites like OKCupid or Plenty of Fish. However, in some ways, the internet has only caused complications for couples. One major complication is Facebook. Not only can you find the person you are dating on Facebook, you can stare at photos, look at all that person's friends, see what the ex wrote on the Facebook profile in 2009, and basically become a total obsessed stalker. Another complication that involves Facebook and dating, is the relationship status update.
Wow, this is a tough one. So many questions revolve around the infamous relationship status on Facebook. When is it the right time to change it? What should that change be? Will people comment when you switch it from In A Relationship to Single ? Will people judge you? What embarrassing comments will people post if you change it from Single to In A Relationship ? Did you already let everyone know you are engaged or are some people learning it for the first time when you switch the status to Engaged ? So many questions and so little time! Didn't there used to be a Swinger option? Wouldn't that just confuse people and get everyone out of your business once and for all, or was that only an option on MySpace?
At any rate, there is often a lot of thought and debate that goes into a relationship status switch on Facebook. Honestly, there is probably too much thought and debate put into it, but that is not the point. Unless you are 12 years old, there shouldn't be so much drama behind it, but yet there is in the world of dating. So basically, what are the true meanings behind Facebook relationship status updates? Let's discuss what each relationship status actually means.
Single
Single is a very basic relationship status on Facebook. You would think it would be as easy as "I am single," but honestly, it usually isn't. What Single really means on Facebook is:
1) I am angry at my significant other and I've changed my status to Single to make him mad.
2) I am really single. Don't make a big deal over it.
3) I am dating someone, but since she is not on Facebook, I don't have to admit it and I can fool everyone.
4) I have been married for two years, but I am too lazy to change my relationship status.
In a Relationship
The In a Relationship option is actually the most complicated of all the Facebook status options. Yes, it is really more complicated than the It's Complicated status. Who knew? Some of the many real meanings behind it are:
1) I am dating a new guy and switched my relationship status to In a Relationship to see how he responds. Wish me luck!
2) I am trying to make my ex-girlfriend jealous. I am really not dating anyone.
3) I am actually dating several guys, but I won't link any names to the In a Relationship status because I don't want them to know about each other.
4) I have been talking to someone on Match.com for 2 days and I am in love!
5) I am tired of my friends that are in relationships looking down on me. I am going to have a fake relationship for a few weeks so I feel better about myself. I might even buy myself flowers.
6) I am so annoyed with guys hitting on me all the time. Maybe if I am unavailable it will stop.
Engaged
Oh, the Engaged relationship status on Facebook. Chances are, Engaged actually means you are engaged. However, there are a couple of other options:
1) I am hoping that changing my status to Engaged will encourage my boyfriend to finally propose.
2) I think this will fool my friends and family members long enough to have a peaceful holiday meal this year.
Married
Married is another one of the relationship status options on Facebook that seems pretty cut and dry. However, depending on how special your friends can be, it could have other meanings, such as:
1) I am going to pretend I am married to Edward Cullen. I seriously need to seek help.
2) I am tired of dudes hitting on me. I will pretend I am Married for a while since In a Relationship didn't seem to work.
It's Complicated
Oh, the infamous melodramatic It's Complicated Facebook relationship status. Woo-hoo! Let's break the meaning down for you:
1) I've broken up with my boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, etc. several times this year. I've actually lost count. I need counseling, but instead, air my dirty laundry on Facebook. It is therapeutic for me.
2) In my head, I am in a relationship with someone who is emotionally unavailable. In that special someone's head, a relationship really doesn't exist.
3) I am still waiting for my mail order bride to arrive.
4) I am in the middle of a love triangle. The excitement never ends in my life!
In an Open Relationship
In an Open Relationship is a pretty easy one. The two meanings behind this are:
1) I am posting In an Open Relationship as my relationship status on Facebook in the hopes that my girlfriend will go along with it. Chances are, I will be changing the status back to In a Relationship or possibly Single by tomorrow.
2) I am kind of sleazy and I don't care who knows it. Hi Grandma!
Widowed
Widowed is the saddest of all the Facebook relationship status options. Widowed can only pretty much have two meanings:
1) I am sincerely widowed. Stop asking me about it.
2) I am so angry at my husband, I will be widowed by tomorrow. Beware!
Separated
The dreaded Separated Facebook status update rears its ugly head! This could also technically go under It's Complicated in my opinion, but it does have its own status. So basically, the meanings for Separated are:
1) I finally dumped that no-good loser of a husband!
2) I want to dump my wife, but this is my passive-aggressive way of letting her know!
3) I am legally separated, but didn't feel like telling any of you on my friend list. Don't ask!
Divorced
Of course, Divorced typically just means you are divorced. I can't really think of anything exciting to go along with this one other than you might just get invited to an awesome divorce party if you read this on one of your friend's Facebook profiles.
In a Civil Union
In a Civil Union is a recent addition to Facebook's relationship status options. Basically, this only has two meanings:
1) I am gay and decided to use the In a Civil Union status since I can't legally get married in my state.
2) I am an insensitive idiot who is not gay, but thought it would be funny to change my relationship status to In a Civil Union. I wonder why my friend list is going down in numbers?
In a Domestic Partnership
In a Domestic Partnership is another recent addition by Facebook. This also has only two meanings:
1) I am gay and felt more comfortable using the In a Domestic Partnership option rather than the In a Relationship option.
2) I am an insensitive idiot who is not gay, but thought it would be funny to change my relationship status to In a Domestic Partnership. Why do my friends keep unfriending me?
Comments
Awesome hub! Some of the options are really funny... I had a good laugh today :) Voted up!
So how many of us are just normal people in normal relationships with a Facebook status that reflects that and doesn't have some alternate meaning?
Very interesting. I have noticed that many people who change their status to single in when they have left a bitter relationship behind.
A great and humorous hub, well-written all around. :)
ok I have a question hopefully you can answer it or give advice I have been friend's with a man from india for like 6 month's and out of the blue meaning recently he ask's me if i can be his girlfriend I'm comfused then I ask y he says ,it don't have to be a reason then he tell's me he just want me to be his, then he post's on facebook status single idk what to do or say because my sister say he's probly tryna get a green card but he's alway's telling me, he will never leave his india he seem's passionate about his country so i'm confused any advice about y he's asking me this question?
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Hahahahahaha :)
great words....loved it
Facebook is so overrated... I love the girls who are like you know it's real when it's on Facebook....cracks me up! Funny hub!
This was hilarious! The only one that I kind of didn't like was the domestic partnership. My status says I am in a relationship because I am not yet engaged and honestly I probably wouldn't put domestic partnership because that is a strange term to me, but legally I am in a domestic partnership. My boyfriend's health insurance covers me and we have been together for long enough now (not like so many of the people out there who are 'in love' after 2 days) that we state that we are domestic partners. Although this was supposed to be light and funny and for the most part was, civil unions and domestic partnerships do exist outside of the gay community. Some people just never get married to their significant other. Personally I do not even like the terms and what they imply but I had to get that off my chest because I can't be covered under my boyfriends insurance if it wasn't for the fact that we are in a domestic partnership. So back to this amazing hub... I really loved this! The relationship status thing on facebook is so funny and such a joke! I see so many reminders for people to update their facebook status because it isn't official until it is facebook official! Well done :-)
Jeannie,
HAHAHA, Awesome hub, and fantastic descriptions for each one of the relationship statuses! I had a good laugh! :)
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Wow...voted up and much, and shared right away!!
Such an awesome n interesting hub...especially a 'love triangle' complicating the situation!!
Great hub...
Now this is a clever hub. How did you come up with this? Brilliant. Voting up. Matt
Thanks god. I have never changed my status. Still I am married.
Love this, its so true!!
uhummm what can i say..i don't have a facebook acoount..but it's really interesting to read this hub :)
I strongly agree with your ideas here. You know when it is about the status, you cannot determine the truth unless you will prove it in the church. LOL. Thanks for sharing.
Jeannie - you got that right! Lol.
I was told to see if my husband was really jealous and to change my profile to "single" to see if he noticed. He didn't - I had to tell him. Then he laughed. Yeah he's jealous! Lol. I told him I know deep down he is burning with anger and jealousy! It's just covert!" he just laughed and I don't think he is playing because I am still single according to FB. Wonder if I should make him pay alimony now?
Jeannie, if my husband had "single" because he was too lazy to change it, he wouldn't be my husband. LOL I found out my daughter had started dating her boyfriend because it popped up in my Newsfeed. I told her she needed to let me know before posting it. AHHHH! I love the analysis of meaning to each status. I hate it when I see someone posting a relationship status as a joke, like the immature jerks you mention. Great Hub!! Votes and shared and linked to my FB hub. :-)
No offense but this screams almost pure womans perspective so lets flip the script? (Im not a sexist or an asshole, there are women out there smarter than me blah blah blah, just being honest)
Here ya go.
It's complicated = I cheated on my boyfriend but didn't tell him so instead I set it to this and probably worried him about something unrelated. (Also probably enjoying some time with Guy #2 while setting this status)
haha I love your number 2 on widowed. hilarious post
I don't use the relationship status button at all- too much info!
I have a facebook acount what gets to me isn't just that people are often fake and rude but aslo that they very into themselves posting photos of themselves and only talking about themselves on there stats great hub makes me think about what im doing on facebook.
Enjoyed your hub, Jeannie. I am on Fb but I don't have a relationship status. I think the way many people let the whole world know what they are up to and air their dirty laundry is pretty weird. I like to catch up with family and friends, see pics, etc but it seems that some stuff is better kept to yourself. Thanks for sharing.
I definitely don't understand why people try to validate their lives by their relationship status on Facebook. I just completely removed it form my profile because those who need to know will know enough. Funny hub as always Jeannie!
Great hub! And well, all these relationship changes at least keep us amused. Isn't everyone on Facebook to always have the latest gossip on their friends and family? Or to check up on those people who you know but aren't actually friends with (at least in real life)?
Voted up, funny and sharing!
Interesting hub. I've been on facebook for a long time, probably since I left college and my daughter left college. I'm not the type of person who states I have 923 friends, just a select group of friends, co-workers and relatives and the privacy steps are implemented according to my liking and on relationship, I click, check nothing because nobody needs to know one way or the other. It's a great venue to use for a variety of reasons, when used properly. More and more companies are becoming embroiled in social media sites for marketing and they are good places to place hubs. Thanks again for your hub!
Great, Jeannie. I don't know if you read my hub One Tremendous Year but I cover a lot of this material regarding how I met my wife :-) WE became facebook official before most of our friends knew :-)
You know, I hadn't paid attention to the list of new categories. I don't know whether they're stupid, or a reflection of a self-involved society. Sheesh! Very informative hub - voted up and useful.
My favorite is when someone changes their status twice in a day. Maybe there should be a separate relationship status qualifier field with options like Preemptively, Prematurely, Hopefully, Ironically, and For Dramatic Effect.
I'll state upfront that I truly HATE Facebook, having witnessed people I know make total fools of themselves on FB, so I canceled my account. (Facebook still has all my data, which is another story!)
This relationship status issue is something I've seen used as a weapon EVERY time someone got mad at her boyfriend/fiancé. The status changed back to Single, all the photos came down and he was blocked. Until the next time.
'Wow from me as well!!!'
Great work and I have to vote up up amd away!!!
I now look forward to reading many more hubs by you.
Take care;
Eddy.
I had no idea that this many options were even available. Wow! But then again, maybe they aren't and this piece was written with irony. Either way, wow!
Hmm, I'll think twice about status change announcements now. Especially my plans to switch to "open relationship" status.
Funny, yet so true. I had a friend who changed her status to "engaged" to play a prank on her boyfriend. Hmm...I doubt he thought it was funny...
It amazes me how many grown up people are constantly changing their Facebook status to make others jealous. Are we all in high school again? It just makes me laugh. I never have posted anything about my relationship status because why am I worried about what a bunch of people I hardly know think and why do I want them all up in my business? Very funny article. Voted up and all.
I have a facebook account and it constantly amazes me what some of my friends post. Other ways it has helped to keep up with friends and family.
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