2008 Woodie Awards
Hookups and breakups:
Love triangles and how to detect them
Morgan Nederhood
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Features
Now, this is an interesting crossroads on the taboo of the love triangle.
Typically, there exists an unwritten code that forbids friends from getting involved with any person with whom their friends have been involved.
The problem with this code is its ambiguity and its lack of clarity. Where do we draw the line? When is it okay to be involved with a friend's past fling?
In this case, the guy is fair game because he barely (or doesn't) meet the standards to be considered a fling.
One date doesn't give you any right over him, especially when you were the one to discard him in the first place. When you dump someone, you surrender your right to lay claim over him or her.
So, give your best friend a pat on the back, wish them luck, and leave it at that.
Sure, it will be awkward when they engage in PDA's on the sofa next to you, or when your friend complains about the boyfriend to you, but that's life. You don't have enough of a history with the guy in the first place to really feel excessively uncomfortable.
Besides, this triangle is tame in comparison to others you are bound to experience in life.
So, sit back and appreciate the fact that your situation isn't as messy as this next scenario.
Triangle # 2
When this scenario happens, it is quite unfortunate to be the poor sap blindsided by the unexpected move of your once unbeknownst competition.
When this situation arises, it essentially causes a difficult (and sometimes painful) result for the girl torn between the two guys so desperately seeking her affection.
For Guy #1, sorry, dude, but there's no one to blame but yourself. You had the ball and the goal line but you fumbled in the end zone, and guess who recovered?
If you said Guy #2 congratulations! You're correct!
Yes, you, Guy # 2, you had the guts to seize something that was almost in someone else's grasp.
If you can get the girl to overcome any guilt she might be feeling, it's smooth sailing from there.
If you're lucky, the whole thing blows over and you and your lovely new significant other can move on happily with your relationship.
As for Guy #1, tough luck, bud, meet me at the pub, the pints are on me.
Typically, there exists an unwritten code that forbids friends from getting involved with any person with whom their friends have been involved.
The problem with this code is its ambiguity and its lack of clarity. Where do we draw the line? When is it okay to be involved with a friend's past fling?
In this case, the guy is fair game because he barely (or doesn't) meet the standards to be considered a fling.
One date doesn't give you any right over him, especially when you were the one to discard him in the first place. When you dump someone, you surrender your right to lay claim over him or her.
So, give your best friend a pat on the back, wish them luck, and leave it at that.
Sure, it will be awkward when they engage in PDA's on the sofa next to you, or when your friend complains about the boyfriend to you, but that's life. You don't have enough of a history with the guy in the first place to really feel excessively uncomfortable.
Besides, this triangle is tame in comparison to others you are bound to experience in life.
So, sit back and appreciate the fact that your situation isn't as messy as this next scenario.
Triangle # 2
When this scenario happens, it is quite unfortunate to be the poor sap blindsided by the unexpected move of your once unbeknownst competition.
When this situation arises, it essentially causes a difficult (and sometimes painful) result for the girl torn between the two guys so desperately seeking her affection.
For Guy #1, sorry, dude, but there's no one to blame but yourself. You had the ball and the goal line but you fumbled in the end zone, and guess who recovered?
If you said Guy #2 congratulations! You're correct!
Yes, you, Guy # 2, you had the guts to seize something that was almost in someone else's grasp.
If you can get the girl to overcome any guilt she might be feeling, it's smooth sailing from there.
If you're lucky, the whole thing blows over and you and your lovely new significant other can move on happily with your relationship.
As for Guy #1, tough luck, bud, meet me at the pub, the pints are on me.
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