What's your status?

Kimesha Henry, Gleaner Writer

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we can't help but wonder how others have dealt with similar issues. I find myself literally wondering out loud if others can relate to what I'm going through.

With this in mind, we've come up with Can You Relate? - a weekly section dedicated to showing you, our, readers that no matter how bizarre or ridiculous a particular situation may be, there's always somebody out there who can relate to it.

Nowadays, almost everyone has an account with at least one social-networking site, the more popular ones being Facebook and Twitter. Reasons for joining include networking, friendship, or to just plain 'faas inna people business'.

Regardless of the motive, these social-networking sites have the option for you to disclose your relationship status. Needless to say, there have been instances where the status of one's relationship on these sites has been a source of contention. This week, four Saturday Gleaner readers decode their Facebook relationship status. Read on to see if you can relate.

Single - but it's complicated

"The best way I can sum up my real relationship status is: it's complicated. However, on Facebook, it's single. And the person who makes it complicated - his status is also single.

"As far as I can see, I'm always single on Facebook. There's no way I'll declare, 'I'm in a relationship but it's complicated.' And I'm not gonna say I'm in a relationship while his status is still single. No way, no day."

These are the sentiments of 22-year-old Savanna-la-Mar resident Tessa Vaz.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is 20-year-old Danay Hunter. For Danay, when she's single in real life, Facebook knows, but when she's found someone, it's safe to say that most of her friends will find out from Facebook before she tells them.

"Facebook is like an addiction to me, and based on my personality, when I'm in a relationship, I don't want anybody pursuing me, so I'll change my status. And if the guy is also on Facebook, then it'll say, 'In a relationship with (Craig).'"

Off-Limits

If neither of these reactions has you nodding your head in agreement, perhaps you can relate to Sherika Walker. She eliminates the issue of relationship statuses by deciding to completely hide that option on Facebook.

She explains, "When you go on my Facebook profile, you don't even see the option for relationship status. That way, I don't have to worry about changing it, and I don't have to worry about inquisitive people looking to see who I'm with.

"I'm private like that, so declaring my status via Facebook isn't my thing. I don't see why I should show whether I'm single or in a relationship. Those who should know already do."

And, if you want to display your relationship status but you're not a drama-loving individual, there's always the route that Jayde chose.

"I remember a few years ago when I joined Facebook. I'd just started a relationship so, of course, my status reflected that. The relationship ended sometime ago so, of course, I changed my status to single.

"Oh my Lord, the amount of comments I received when the notification 'Jayde Hammond is now single' came up. I decided, never again. So, on my Facebook profile now you'll see that I'm married to one of my (female) friends ... and no we're not lesbians. I just can't be bothered. I actually just started another relationship, and best believe my status will remain married to my friend, whether I'm single or not."

There you have it. Found somebody you can relate to? If not, drop us a line at canyourelate@gmail.com with your own story, or email topics that you'd like to know how other people relate to.