Why Having a Partner is the New Status Symbol

Today, it's no longer a flashy watch that tops the status list, but something as simple as a romantic partner.

In an era where soulless dating apps have replaced bars and more people focus on self-realization than flirting, being in a relationship has become highly sought after. It's something to boast about, like a 1945 Romanée Conti in the wine cellar (a bottle sold for five million kronor at auction a few years ago).

Unconsciously, the view of a partner as the ultimate goal in an impossible obstacle course has affected even me. Last week, a friend told me she met a guy. I reacted as if she had dug up gravel, stone, and sand with her eyes closed—and found gold. "You did it!" I said with an impressed look. "You're one of those who succeeded! What an inspiration for the rest of us! Congratulations!"

The reaction wasn't reasonable, because is it really that incredible to fall in love with someone who likes you back? Well, today it actually is. According to the economic principle of supply and demand, the price of something rare but desirable rises.

Are they together? Yes. Is that enough to be featured in Vogue? Apparently.

It's not surprising that Scandinavian Vogue has made it a thing to portray celebrity couples as if they were sexy Patek Philippe watches. Being with someone attractive seems to give a greater chance of being photographed in Vogue than any other achievement. For example, they did a shoot with the Gröndal couple from the reality series "Love is Blind." Do they have anything to do with fashion? No. Are they together? Yes. Is that enough to be featured in Vogue? Apparently.

In recent years, I've seen Swedish model Kelly Gale making out with Joel Kinnaman on a beach, artist Clara Hallencreutz kissing Fares Fares on a picnic blanket, music producer Kygo being straddled by his girlfriend in a window, and pole vaulter Armand Duplantis proposing to his girlfriend in The Hamptons (it was also filmed). As an observer, these moments should have stayed between four eyes. It feels too much, too intimate, too sticky. But a partner's transformation from a given to a status symbol has unfortunately led to this, because like all status symbols, there are those who flaunt their wealth in a tasteless way.

Take Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's dance video from the hospital. The one where they jazz to the song "Baby Mama" and show the whole world how cool they are. It's a good example of a private moment that should have remained private, or perhaps not filmed at all. But the couple's life is milked for content like never before.

The problem is that no one wants to know how goofy you dance in the kitchen or see your joint couple hashtag on Instagram (yes, it's a thing...). You don't need to post pictures of yourselves in half-open bathrobes from some hotel spa or hint at how incredible your sex life is. You're in love and each other's "baby," I get it, but when the rest of us are content to tell Chat GPT about our day, could you show some class? No one else enjoys your intimate moments from life as winners in the relationship lottery. It's not just tastelessly boastful, it's embarrassing.

See Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's cringe-worthy dance: