“So, how?s your love life?”

This is the one question that all persons who are part of a couple should refrain from asking. In fact, this question should be abolished from the vocabulary of every breathing human being who considers themself to be a decent person. No, scratch that. This question should be erased from everyone?s minds permanently.

Asking someone about his or her love life requires an answer. If the answer given is not something along the lines of, “My love life is fabulous. Yes, I?m seeing someone,” then the person who asked such a horrid question will be given the freedom to berate the singleton. And the last thing a single person needs is a list of reasons of why they should be with someone.

Single people have reasons for not being in a relationship. Some of these reasons may include that they don?t have the time for one, or it?s not a priority, or they refuse to settle for just anyone. Whatever the reasons are, people who are romantically linked look at these explanations as lame excuses for being single.

Lame excuses or not, single people shouldn?t have to feel the need to explain why they?re not with anyone. But they do. All single people have felt at one time or another the pressure of having a lover or justify why they don’t have one to those that do. Couples may mean well when they inquire into the lives of those who are without a “better half,” but their concern is really not necessary. There are plenty of people who willingly choose not to be in a relationship. And guess what? A lot, if not most of them are happy about that choice too!

Really.

One can suppose that the logical thing for single people to do is to hang out with other single people, right? Well it doesn?t always work out that way, and besides, no one can escape a loving couple. They?re everywhere, which is another reason why single people are supposed to feel sorry for themselves.

Not being with someone sometimes forces singles to self-evaluate and analyze what is it about them that doesn?t attract potential mates. And that form of self-deprecation is usually dangerous because single people will judge themselves by other people?s standards, which is impossible to live by and doesn?t get anyone anywhere.

Those who are in a relationship may feel sorry for their single friends and they only want what?s best for them. Additionally, it?s hard to deny the rewards that are ensured in relationships, but there are plenty of rewards that come with being single too. Single people can do whatever they want, whenever they want. They don?t have to answer anybody. They can go out and have fun, if they decide that?s what they want. Sigh. There’s nothing wrong with single people. If a person isn?t in a relationship, it could be for a variety of reasons. People shouldn?t automatically assume that there must be something very off about a person who remains alone.

To all you “poor singles” out there, the next time anyone asks, “How?s the love life?” just smile and say something like, “Life?s great, love.” Then change the subject and avoid all other questions regarding this touchy matter unless you feel up to defending yourself.

Georgette Todd is a Journalism major. She can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].