Facebook in 555 words: It’s not just for socializing anymore.

Why am I single? I’ve asked that about myself a few times this year. I keep coming back with the same answers: You’re too picky! You like certain things, certain guys and you don’t budge. You don’t date out of your comfort zone. I answer myself back: You’re an idiot!

Back when AOL was the “it” thing, I would spend hours upon hours, getting to know people; making new friends. I remember one time, there was a storm and the lights were out for a few days. I was literally in distress because there was a cute guy that I had been chatting with for weeks, and I was incommunicado. I didn’t want him to think I was no longer interested. I might have even lost a few pounds, stressing at not hearing the modem buzz and those beautiful words, “Welcome. You’ve got mail.” Finally, day 4 into my hell, I was able to log on. I heard the words I so desperately wanted to hear. As I skimmed through the plethora of spam e-mails, I came across his. Let’s just say, I was cyber dumped. It was then and there; I vowed never to talk to anyone from the Internet.

Of course, that didn’t last long.

Fast forward some 18 years, and here I am, on Facebook. The NEW hotspot for cruising, making friends and “wall-ing” insignificant posts like Lebron James moving to Miami or Lindsay Lohan going to jail. It hasn’t changed much from way back when. We still want to see pictures; still develop cyber crushes and hook-up with the wrong people. There are those who are quick to change their relationship status, and let the world know they are in love, after two weeks of dating. It goes something like this: Facebook User has changed his relationship from single to in a relationship. Two weeks later – Facebook User has changed his relationship from in a relationship to it’s complicated. Two weeks after that: Facebook User has changed his status from it’s complicated to single.

If Facebook is all about networking and socializing, why are there so many guys and gals looking for the next best fling? Or maybe, perhaps, the next great love? People can get all bent out of shape when you request a friend of a friend. Or a friend of a friend of a friend. Don’t dare express an opinion on someone’s wall because you’ll get deleted.

No. I am not saying Facebook is just for getting meeting Mr./Mrs. Wrong. You get to connect with people you’ve lost contact with. Get up to the minute news on what’s going on around the world. Become part of the blogger-sphere. But reality check: most are here for things that would make Abuelita blush.

Truthfully, I’ve had my shares of bad dates this year, and most of them have been from Facebook. I’ve opened myself up to date outside of my Latino community. But, just like way back when, the dating questionnaire is still the same, albeit with a few new twists. It’s still about looks. It’s still about status. Romance has been thrown away in the recycle bin and replaced with mind-blowing, ugly sex. No one dates anymore; calls anymore. Your life is one status update and “Like” after another.

P.S. Don’t forget to “friend” me or “Like” this post.

by A.J. Rodriguez