I am continually amazed by the people who consider the far too popular abbreviations compliments; mcm, wcw, bae, or sss. That’s right, some people get butterflies over the combination of these letters either face to face or on social media. I, on the other hand, want to vomit and throw my phone off of the empire state building simultaneously. Since when did calling someone your “before anyone else” substitute as a compliment or posting an Instagram saying she’s your “woman crush Wednesday” mean you love her? There is a real world out here, boys and girls, where you can show someone you genuinely care about them in real time and with real words.
While flipping through a magazine at a coffee shop I saw and my heart became really sad.
Some how “true love,” “only you,” “you & me,” has evolved into “Snapchat me,” “be my bae,” and “you’re my #mcm.” As technology has taken over our lives, the language used to flatter another has changed and that sucks. If I’m the only one who is sad about these stupid words being seen as compliments then I want to be alone forever. The day that I take bae as a compliment is the day I have truly given up on all things in life.
Not only are these abbreviations and shallow compliments a let down, but the need to post every bit of your relationship on social media is as well. I really believe that for some couples, making sure people know you’re in a relationship is equally, or sometimes more, important than the relationship itself. On any given day I can go on Facebook and see 17 pictures from a single date and know exactly what a couple wore, ate, what song they danced to at the club and what movie they chose on Netflix when they got home. There should be some aspects of your relationship kept for the two of you, that’s what makes it such a cool thing. The craziest part is that once the relationships over, people delete it all and the idea that anything happened, like social media is the only way that person you loved affected your life.
Social media and these stupid things some call compliments cannot and will not get you the person you want for the rest of your life. Why would you want someone you superficially title your 'man crush' to be your husband? I’m looking for a gentleman and someone who inspires me to be a better person, not a man crush. To be completely honest, I’m still not sure what that even means. Along with that, you should think of yourself so highly that being considered someone’s “bae” is disgusting to you. Call me a pessimist, tell me to take what I’m given, but you and I deserve more than that. Everyone does.
To win over and keep another person you have to actually do things, like hold their hand and eat dinner together at restaurants. Does it really sound that bad? Dressing up, eating a burger, playing footsie across the table from a cute boy is too hard, so we move to Facebook postings? Is it too scary to call someone beautiful to their face so that now we have to call them a “woman crush Wednesday” over Instagram? It’s pathetic. Technology is supposed to enhance our lives, not make people live their relationships through a screen.
Apps designated to finding a hookup for the night, social media defining relationships, the lack of common sense and crafting an appropriate compliment...It’s not supposed to be this hard. Let’s change it back. I’m not saying it has to be some 1920’s fairytale kind of love and we can totally incorporate your iPhone into the equation, but let's be original. It’s time to step it up; we can only hide behind a screen for so long.
You’re nervous, you feel awkward, you only know abbreviations, whatever your excuse; let me guide you on this one. Here are a few examples of quality compliments you can say to someone face to face, not on social media. Please, I’m begging you.
1. You are so passionate about the things you love
2. I admire your strength
3. You have beautiful eyes
If you need further assistance, please refer to Ben Higgins aka 'The Bachelor;' he seems to know what he's doing.
