Time changes all things including how we use a word.

Today most people think that relationship is synonymous with love affair or a commitment between 2 people as the primary meaning of the term.

Being an "ancient" and having been educated many moons ago, I learned the word meaning any interaction between 2 or more people, or things.

Looking the term up in the dictionary I found both definitions to be correct. The romantic connotation being the last one mentioned. I wonder if that could be because the word was "coined" in 1741.

relationship

Main Entry: re·la·tion·ship   Function: noun Date: 1741
1: the state of being related or interrelated <studied the relationship between the variables>2: the relation connecting or binding participants in a relationship: as a: kinship b: a specific instance or type of kinship3 a: a state of affairs existing between those having relations or dealings <had a good relationship with his family> b: a romantic or passionate attachment
 
My personal feeling is you  have a relationship with anyone you come into contact with. It can be brief or long lasting. It can be pleasant or unpleasant but as long as you are interacting with someone you are having a relationship.
 
I have had callers tell me " we are not in a relationship". Oh, but you are. It may not be a romantic relationship or a committed relationship but it could be a friendly relationship or a casual relationship. It is definately there.
 
I find it interesting how communication can get garbled or how feelings can get hurt, and mis understandings arise because different people look at the same word or term in totally different ways.
 
I hope that you will stop and think if someone says something that hurts your feelings or you think you misunderstand, is there more than one meaning to this word or phrase? You might feel yourself perceiving things better and be a happier person.
 
Here is to a good " relationship" with all those you care about...
 
Grandma hugs, GrandmaSage