I don’t like titles. I think they’re unnecessary. I don’t mean “mister,” “miss,” “doctor” nor “professor” but rather, “girlfriend” and “boyfriend.”
I’m not one to encourage petty “flirtationships.” Those expend energy, emotion and potential friendships. I’m simply questioning the use of ambiguous terms that just seem to cause miscommunication and complication.
I see only two reasons for titles, and I don’t believe either are valid. The first is for the clarification of others. There is a concern that others will see the lack of title as a lack of commitment. I don’t think those who matter are so petty, and those who are so petty don’t really matter.
The more people that know a couple is “together,” the more will have to un-know that same fact if they ever cease to “date.” I honestly think it is actually easier for clarification to withhold titles.
Without titles, there are fewer questions and fewer unwanted, burdensome implications. There consequently is less pressure to conform to the completely irrelevant relationship timeline that society has created.
The second reason I find people use titles is as a sign of loyalty and faithfulness. Frankly, if you need a title to be sure of someone’s affections, then that may be a sign of a deeper relational issue.
As a proof of affection, a title is as pitiful as a baby blanket for a grown man. Those who need that sign should be questioning the foundation of trust in the relationship. Titles don’t mean commitment. Feelings come and go regardless of titles and people often stay the same.
A half-hearted significant other will not change his or her ways with the addition of a title and neither will he or she stay true with the collar of a title around his or her neck. What truly changes when a relationship is prescribed a title? Not a whole lot.
I do not believe titles are necessary when there is clarity in relationships. Instead of throwing around arbitrary terms that hold little meaning, I suggest a sense of clear communication. We need to stop hiding under the ambiguous labels of society and come to grips with where relationships really are.
