WhiteKnight Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 Hey everyone Under Long distance relationship conditions, the boyfriend and girlfriend had a fight but neither of them have broken up but the relationship is on hold until the issues are resolved. I never had heard of this saying before, see below. Whenever a person says "Square Zero" what does that mean? The context of the sentence I was given to by a friend was that, "My partner and I had talked in great lenghts and we decided to start off 'square zero' with our relationship." He also mentioned that he had made a promise to rebuild the relationship, so I dunno what that means. The saying "Square One" for here in Australia, is like to start over or working things out etc. Can anyone explain to me what Square Zero is? And give me some examples of the sentences and how you would interpret it?
Rollercoasterr Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 I'm going to go ahead and assume here that the friend made a blunder. I've only ever heard Square One. If there is such a thing as Square Zero it would have to be what comes before One, and I can't imagine what that could be other than life before they met each other. So if they were going back to Zero, they'd have to be breaking up and acting as though the other never existed. Yeah, he made a mistake probably.
Author WhiteKnight Posted May 7, 2009 Author Posted May 7, 2009 Well the partner of his hasn't really explicitedly told him that they have broken up and needs space, however she did mention to her partner to work through the issues and she would reconsider the relationship again but sounds like to me she wants him to restart from the ground up and work things harder to make the relationship with her to work. I guess that's one way of looking at it from him doing a mistake. So I think the theory of what Square Zero means that, both sides have agreed thier own mistakes and issues where they are hoping to work together and rebuild the relationship from when they first met. It doesn't mean that thier relationship has ended though but it could be interpreted as "Lets forget the past and rebuild from here" (but knowing that, they are justifying to help come closer and make things work out).
Rollercoasterr Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 Which would be Square One. That's always how I've heard Square One be explained and used. Never ever Square Zero. Think about it like this. You never start a list or a process with the number 0. It's always 1. But maybe he's making up his own phrases. But he'd be the only one using it in the world.
Author WhiteKnight Posted May 7, 2009 Author Posted May 7, 2009 Yea, somehow I dunno if they meant Square Zero to be square one. Because his partner said "we will start things off at Square Zero" I personally haven't heard of Square Zero used under a relationship context, unless they are implying you are working from the ground up with that person. As in, perhaps one of the partners is absolutely pissed at them but accepted thier flaws, however with not all of it has been lost she would observing the guy before things work out again? But that sounded more of Square One to be honest. Square Zero could mean "we will start at the beginning, ground level and rebuild together", however a roommate of mine had been through a Square Zero situation before and explained that... Whenever your partner wants to start off square zero, what she means that both you and her have accepted the issues but both partners are working to rebuilding the relationship where things can kick off again. Its similar to Square One, but more of understanding to establish a ground first before both ends start working together. However if one person is doing all the work to fix things or change their ways and the other is not doing much by any means of actions, it only takes two people to make things work together. I doubt its a friendship if you are in square zero, so its more of a way justifying that under the context of rebuidling, acknowledging their issues. The boyfriend is willing to make up for it while his partner would be watching him. Its just weird.
Admiral Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 Under Long distance relationship conditions, the boyfriend and girlfriend had a fight but neither of them have broken up but the relationship is on hold until the issues are resolved. I never had heard of this saying before, see below. So the relationship isn't really a relationship then. They are free to see other people. Stop talking about squares, everyone, it doesn't mean a thing. It's a figure of speech.
Island Girl Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 I have, like the others, only heard of the phrase "Starting at Square One" not Square Zero. But if your friend told you that he said that then that other person was privy to the context and additional conversation as well. I would think since he mentioned rebuilding the relationship he just means starting over with a clean slate and trying to fix issues like communication, trust, etc. Is your friend confused as to the meaning of what was said? If so your friend should speak directly with him to better understand exactly what he meant.
Author WhiteKnight Posted May 27, 2009 Author Posted May 27, 2009 I would think since he mentioned rebuilding the relationship he just means starting over with a clean slate and trying to fix issues like communication, trust, etc. Is your friend confused as to the meaning of what was said? If so your friend should speak directly with him to better understand exactly what he meant. Well after a few weeks, my friend and I were talking back and forth about this topic again. After speaking with him, I think he was naturally confused with the words "Square Zero" that was used under the context of the relationship. He was confused about her actions and naturally thought that he was trying to get things working, she was too, and they both were anything within their power to help improve the relationship however, I got him to confront her over the chatline by asking what she meant by 'Square Zero'. He was asking what Square Zero was... The reply was given "Square Zero is a step back from Square One, it means starting things over at the beginning. Like a project that didn't work out and needed to be start from the ground up again." Followed by... "Therefore it means I hold nothing against you, but I also hold nothing in favor of you either." After that second quote, I told my friend not to reply at all. Best to leave it as that because naturally from my point of view I would see it as a tension to say something that you don't mean it. Yet I am curious, what did she meant about that second quote she used though? I guess it could be anything really.
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