new age relationships

Mr 747 and I changed our Facebook status to 'in a relationship' last week. It took balls.

Six months ago – an age ago - before many of us knew about Facebook, break-ups were shit, and hook ups were slow. Smatterings of people would find out about new couples on the scene, as time gradually unfolded.

I love Facebook, sometimes. Sometimes. For others, the site has gone and ruined their life. I'd imagine that arguments, previously unaccounted for or even thought about, now happen because of this fucking thing that is Facebook. Sleepless nights thinking, “fuck, why did my recent ex have to go and post pictures of himself gwedging some polar bear?”

Why are people even Facebook Friend's with their ex's? (I'm mates with two. Out of four. Because it won't ruin my day.)

Why do people update their 'relationship' statuses? Well, I'd only imagine it's because they're happy, stable and want to share this new information with their mates. I suppose it's also a way of telling everyone around them that they're not on the market anymore.

Six months ago, this wouldn't have been an issue with most of the people I know. Then you hear the horror stories of break ups that suddenly everyone knows about, or when the ex finds someone new and now “So-and-So is now in a relationship with Lalarge McTits.”

However, there are loopholes in the system. One can hide their relationship status. One can also “hide the story” so that it isn't fed into the newsfeed. Loopholes and forward thinking is sensible. But let's face it: not helluva romantic.

My point here is: before Facebook, couples had real issues. Which are taxing enough as it is. Suddenly this webpage brings a whole new dimension to couples-fighting. Why haven't you changed your status? Do you still want to be single? Don't you want your friends to know? Why did you break up with me on Facebook, you insensitive asshole? What do you mean you're suddenly 'single?' (I thought we were moving in together!)
Oh look, the ex is engaged, fancy that. This 'place' brings a whole new angst to blossoming couples.

But even so, one can't ignore Facebook. One can't pretend it doesn't matter or it doesn't exist, when it controls our lives these days. It's here; it's shit, it's everywhere, and new-age couples now have to battle the demon our parents didn't even consider within their wildest imaginations.
Man, it must've been easy dating in the 90s. Or in the 1900s, rather. Hitler and shit aside.

It's real – and unfortunately, whether you like it or not – it defines what's happening between people these days. And I believe it's only going to get worse. Who we hang out with, who we are dating, which party we went to on Saturday, which party we're going to on Friday. It's part of our reality now – and not just virtual reality either.

And therein lies a whole new ream of arguments, giggles, romantic gestures, newsfeeds, cries – new age dimensions.
Which we all have to deal with.