To quote Shakespeare: "What's in a name?". Or the adapted modern version: "What's in a title?". People nowadays seem to be getting more and more commitment-phobic. I don't know how many times I've heard the phrase "I don't do relationships" in the past year.

What does that even mean?

You would think that the people that throw this phrase around would mean that they refrain from any sort of relationship, that they prefer being alone, that they're asexual, etc, etc. But this is often not the case. In my experience, the people that swear by "I don't do relationships" are the people that actually do have relationships, but simply hate labeling their interactions as a relationship.

I have friends that come to me for advice because the person that they are spending all their time with, having deep conversations with, and having relations with hit them with the "sorry, I don't do relationships."

Then what the hell are you doing right now?

The only reason why someone would say that to you when their actions say otherwise is because they're playing you. They probably enjoy you're company and whatever it is that you share, but they simply don't want exclusivity.

Of course, to each his own. If you're okay with not being exclusive then by all means, keep on doing what you're doing. But if you're not comfortable with the idea that this person shares the same thing that you two share with others, then I advise you to steer clear of this phrase.

"I don't do relationships" is a cop-out that people use when they haven't found someone that they legitimately like yet. The second they find that person who they fall head over heels for they'll be all for a relationship.

So, to the people that are on the receiving end of that phrase: GET OUT NOW. Unfortunately, they obviously don't like you enough to commit to an exclusive relationship, and you are just going to end up getting hurt if your feelings for this person are real. There are other fish in the sea - fish that are more deserving of what you have to offer.

And to the people giving this lame excuse to others: STOP BEING AN ASSHOLE. Learn to be straight up with people and don't lead them on. Everyone will be better off if you are just honest and tell them that you don't like them in that way. Let the person move on to someone that will be more appreciative of their time and care.