You’ve been dating for a while and you’re more than ready to define the relationship and make things official. However, your partner might be keener on relationship tagging. Here’s the lowdown and why this relationship trend could do with being tossed into the trash.
- What’s relationship tagging? It’s when the person you’re dating decides to make things official by tagging you in their social media bio. Sounds harmless enough, right? Well, it could pose some problems.
- You might see it as defining the relationship when it’s not. The problem with relationship tagging is that your partner might not actually be defining the relationship by tagging you. They might just think it’s cool to mention you on their bio, without actually saying that you’re their girlfriend. Ugh. You’re left wondering what that means.
- It can make things complicated. As if defining the relationship and having “the talk” wasn’t stressful enough, now you have to ask your partner if the fact that they’re relationship tagging you means something more than that they’re just adding you to their bio. Great.
- It’s way too lazy. I’m not saying relationship tagging isn’t cool, but if the only way your partner is making it clear that they want to be exclusive and official with you is by relationship tagging, it feels really lazy. Come on, make some damn effort! You don’t need to serenade the person, but it sure helps to be real and talk to them in person and not just throw their Twitter handle into your bio.
- It’s similar to that first kiss. Ages ago, like when your grandmother was dating, when two people were on a date and kissed, that used to send the clear message that they wanted to take things further. But let’s be real: kissing doesn’t have to mean that things are official or exclusive. It’s the same with relationship tagging. Sure, your partner’s tagging you on their social media, but it doesn’t mean that they want to be official or exclusive.
- It can be used to boost their status. You might feel like your partner’s attempt at relationship tagging is just a way to make them look better, like they’re boasting that they’re with someone so awesome. This can make you feel like they’re sort of using you to look good to all their friends or followers.
- It’s only good as an extra. Although it might be cool to see that your partner has relationship tagged you online, it should never be the only way they define the relationship. If you’re already a couple and have talked about what that means for both of you, such as when it comes to commitment and exclusivity, then relationship tagging can be a nice bonus. But it should never be the main prize.
- It’s also sickening. For some people, being relationship tagged can feel a bit nauseating because of how it seems to shout to the world, “Look at us! We’re together!” You might feel like it’s trying too hard to show all your followers that you’re taken, like on platforms like Twitter and Instagram where you don’t have to share your relationship status. I mean, is it really necessary?
- It makes you feel glued to your partner. You might be against the idea of relationship tagging because it makes you feel like you’re so defined by your partner that you have to add them to your social media bio. I mean, you’re supposed to have some places, whether online or offline, where you can just be you, not you as someone’s girlfriend. What’s next, the combined social media account? Vomit.
- It can be shady. It doesn’t have to be, but sometimes relationship tagging is an attempt to feel better about oneself. It’s the equivalent of “I’m taken now so I’m better than ya’ll.” Similarly, someone might tag their partner in their bio because they want to show their ex that they’ve moved on. Yikes. In such cases, it’s not cool to be on the receiving end of that tag. In fact, it’s quite insulting.
- How does it feel for you? Always pay attention to how relationship tagging feels in your specific relationship. If you feel your partner’s doing it from a good place, then go ahead and enjoy it. But don’t feel bad if you don’t wish to return the favor. You really don’t have to.
