Q. What does "it's complicated" actually mean? Like what do people think when they see it on Facebook?

Good question. I addressed the meaning of "It's complicated" in my guide to the new dating terms, but I think it's worth expanding on because it has such a broad connotation. By listing your relationship status as "It's complicated," you're basically admitting that your love life is kind of a mess. (Or at the very least, it's a unconventional.) You're not in a traditional relationship, but you're involved with someone in a way that is more than just dating. And you don't feel confident in listing yourself as "single," because you're kinda, sorta involved with someone.



Here are some reasons why you might list your relationship status as "It's complicated":

-- You're dating someone, but you aren't sure if it's serious. However, it's serious enough to not list yourself as single.

-- You're in a "friends with benefits" situation that occasionally feels like a relationship.

-- You're recently divorced or broken up, but still sleep with/live with your ex.

-- You're living with your gay husband who you married for the health insurance and are having an affair with a coworker.

-- You're in a love triangle with two vampires or with a vampire and a werewolf.

-- You're in an "open relationship." Is this a relationship setting on Facebook? It used to be what people put instead of "It's complicated." My guess is that people don't like the social stigma that comes with listing yourself in an open relationship (people assume you're slutty even though you may just be in a committed polyamorous relationship with two people) and opt for "It's complicated" which has a more general meaning.

-- You are in an on-again/off-again relationship. Sometimes you're together, sometimes you're apart. Either way, it's complicated.

-- You're a reporter at a major metropolitan newspaper with a crush on a superhero who wears a cape and red and blue tights. For some reason, he's always there to rescue from helicopter accidents or the nefarious plots of an evil billionaire. The only problem? You're coworker also has a thing for you. Also, your coworker kind of resembles the superhero, only with glasses.

-- You're bisexual, and seeing a man and a woman at the same time. You having feelings for both, and it's complicated.

-- You're a trained assassin trapped in a boring marriage in suburbia. If only something could spice up your love life? Well, turns out your husband is also assassin! And his target: you! Drama!

-- You are Meryl Streep and list the movie It's Complicated on your filmography.

Any other "It's complicated" scenarios?

Internet site reference: http://www.guyspeak.com