Assumptions

I am amused by the way in which people will assume things. I decided to do a little expierement, in the course of conversation with various people I reffered to "Jack" as a friend and then I reffered to "Jill" as my girlfriend. Now, what I think if funny is that most people automatically assumed that my male friend was my boyfriend and that my female friend was just my friend. I suspect this is because they were not listening closely or more likely because of the confusing way in which people use the terms "boyfriend" and "girlfriend". I for one have never liked the usage of those words for that very reason. A woman can call her female friend her girlfriend and no one will raise an eyebrow; but if a guy was to call his buddy his boyfriend...everyone would assume he's gay.

Looking at me, most folks would assume I am straight because I am very femminate looking. If I was a man, and I reffered to someone as my girlfriend, there would be no question what I meant; same as if I reffered to a guy as my friend, everyone would most likely assume I meant exactly what I said and nothing more. But because I am a woman, people assume without asking what I meant.

I think people ought to be more creative in reffering to the people whom they are romantically involved with. Here are some ideas: beau, companion, crush, date, fiance, fiancee, flame, gentleman caller, heartthrob, inamorato, lover, main man, main woman, man, woman, paramour, squeeze, steady, suitor, sweetheart, significant other, better half, sugar, honey, dear, baby, numero uno, mate, beloved, angel, partner, darling, courter, loved one, doll, lady, ladylove, truelove, wife, husband, mistress, sex slave. (Ok, you're probably not going to want to introduce someone as your sex slave in most cases...unless you and everyone else has a sense of humor.)

When introducing someone or talking about them in conversation I usaully just reffer to them by their name and keep it at that. If someone is curious enough, they can ask. To me, the terms boyfriend or girlfriend sound a little on the childish side, plus they can be confusing to some. My conversation expierement has taught me that people have vivid imaginations and love to make assumptions, it doesn't bother me...but it does crack me up.