The importance of labels depends on the persons involved. Now, to me, labels aren't as important as knowing who I am to a person and what they are to me. And I don't think you need a label for that. But I'm also a man. Most women would think that what I said was complete and utter bulls**t.
"If she means so much to her, why NOT label the situation?"
Fair point.
I think women like labels for two reasons: 1) security, because women are always trying to figure out their role in a man's life, labels help them along in that regard and help to manage expectations and provide the comfort and peace of mind women seek; and 2) they let other people know what's going on, and let's just be honest, women like ensuring that other people know their role in a man's life.
Labels are a way of saying, "yes, he loves me." or "yes, he chose me". Now...again, to me the important part is that you all chose each other to build a life with or whatever, so the label is a formality and shouldn't be that important (unless that label is husband or wife). But, as a man, that makes sense. I'm not worried about the security that comes along with being with somebody even if its a superficial security. People need what they need. It is what is .
Oh, and lastly, despite the fact that I don't think they're completely necessary, I do realize the need to subscribe to them because if I'm with a woman who needs that label (read: 99 percent of you all), then it doesn't pain me to not label the situation. So I always end up going the label route because that's the world I live in.
I believe if a guy trulyyy wants to be with you, he'll want to yell from the rooftop "SHE"S MY GIRLFRIEND!" and he'll be proud about it. Yea.
There's this guy who I've been close to for years and I still don't know what we are. Sometimes I wish we had some sort of a label so I know where we really stand.
The label to me isn't as important as having the discussion. To me, you don't just fall into a relationship. I don't care how much rolling around or screaming you both do....to me it doesn't happen until one person says look I want to only be with you and you be with me and the other person accepts. This generally should be the man......Sorry but women need to stay in their lane or get out the car if he taking to long. LOLOLOL One quick way to see how quick the "relationship" topic comes up is to NOT be available to go somewhere one night with your FWB. Tell him you have a previous engagement and fail to mention it's a date with another guy and bring it up later. Tell him cuz you single you thought that was cool and he'll probably handle his business IF he was ever interested in the first place. LOLOLOLOL
The label to me doesn't matter, you dont fall into dating somone.. yes you should have the talk about we're toghter exclusivly etc... but why is society so obessed with lables? Hell for that matter with putting timelines on couples?? Who cares if you and your guy have dated 10 years and aren't engaged who made a timeline for dating anyways??
Mr Footeus.. we live in the modern age not the stone age, I should be free to ask a man out, to be my boyfreind or to marry me if I choose to do so. If I waited on every man I've dated to ask me out I would have missed out on some good relationships. Some men are shy, some are afraid to be hurt emotinally. Some fear rejection while others are simply lazy.
To the person asking the question.. ya know they told Kate Middleton the same things about Prince William and look where she is today.. just saying ;)
i've been called so-and-so's sister when i was dating someone because we were that "cool" with free-stylin' it. so now i want a label. and i may be a little bit jealous (read: vulnerable) so i just want justification to give other women the side eye. not really. but seriously once i get with him i know hey all start seeing his potential.
In art history we call a certain period "Reinaissance". Not because it's necessary to call it something, they didn't even call it that at the time, and it's certainly not because the renaissance art is all similar, since it spread across many countries. It's because it's convenient to call it something rather than nothing. It's much easier to talk about art history since the art historians labelled all the periods, and it's easier to distinguish the different characteristics and so on.
I think this kind of labelling works the same way for relationships. It's that much easier to know where you are, your expectations and even simple things such as introducing eachother to other people. How is he related to you they wonder? Do you say he's your friend?
I think it comes down to communication between you two. Do you talk about how you feel about each other, and what you want from the future, without making it some big deal "the talk" and forcing a label? many relationships, especially ones in the process of changing, don't fall under the definitions of most labels. As long as you know what he wants and you trust him, you don't need a social definition to be secure in your relationship.
At the same time, if you aren't the kind of couple who talks about feelings and stuff right away (nothing wrong with that!), maybe you need to bring up a label because that's pretty much the easiest way to make it clear how you feel about each other and you can save the more in depth conversations for later.