There they sit, the couple, his arm wrapped so tightly around her as her head rests on his shoulder. He whispers something funny in her ear, she giggles, he smiles and you hit the volume button on the remote to drone out their lovey-dovey couple banter.
I thought we were watching "White Chicks." Can they pay attention to the movie instead of each other? you think to yourself. A gaping space on the couch separates your single self from the love birds as they gaze into each other’s eyes. Do they even realize that I’m still here. HELLO. Anyone?
Your hand bulldozes into the bowl of popcorn. It’s extra-butter and, well, you’re extra-lonely. “Movie Night with friends” for you turned into “Netflix and chill” night for them, again.
Does this sound like you? Are you alone? Is your Facebook relationship status single and are your friends in a relationship that is “disgustingly adorable?” Do you end up accompanying the pair to places often, meanwhile, they’re sucking each other’s faces off? (Get a room, sheesh.)
The Odyssey took to The College of New Jersey to investigate this issue affecting campuses worldwide. The issue of being a third wheel. We surveyed 159 third-wheelers between the ages of 18 and 23 on TCNJ’s campus.
Here’s what they had to say.
Justine Wilson, a student at TCNJ, describes her time as third wheeling one of her girl friends as “weird” and “uncomfy.”
“I felt alone, I was bored,” said Wilson.
“I'd talk to her but the guy never made much of an effort to talk to me, as I didn't expect from him, but it wasn't fun,” she said.
Over half the students surveyed, 57.2 percent, felt a little uncomfortable when hanging out with their friends in a relationship, and 16.4 percent even answered “HELP” when put in that situation.
And as a third wheel, the top three things experienced were watching the couple be all affectionate with each other, becoming more aware of how single you are and taking the backseat when in the car with the couple.
Almost 62 percent of students surveyed reported that they third wheel in public places such as the mall, restaurants and the movie theater. About 21 percent reported that they're roommate has a significant other and they end up third wheeling in the dorm. About 15 percent of students reported third wheeling in the dining hall and 2.5 percent third wheel in the library.
When asked if their friend having a significant other affects their relationship, there were mixed answers.
About 48 percent of students said that their friend being in a relationship did affect their friendship.
And 52.2 percent of students said that it didn't affect their relationship and that they hang just as much.
So there you have it, the struggles of being a third wheel. How can we fix this issue?
Advice to the couple: If you’re being too PDA, and your friend seems uncomfortable, stop undressing your significant other with your eyes, and try all hanging out as a group of friends.
Advice to the third wheel: If your friends look like they’re about to bone each other, nicely tell them to simmer down.
Try inviting another friend or asking your friends in a relationship if they know someone else who can join you guys. Or tell your friend that you want some one-on-one time with them.
Hang in there third wheelers! You may seem all alone when it's just you and the couple, but you're not alone as a whole. Someone out there at the same moment is asking "Why me?" "Can I leave?" and "I hate being third wheel."
