Tags and Labels

I was not expecting that one of the first day requirement (besides the usual self-introduction) is: Labeling.

I thought last year, it was just our batch, because we're all fun and crazy during the first day. There's something really nice and warm about belonging to a certain batch and knowing that you're all newbies.

But this time, I got really surprised why in grad school, almost all (if not everyone) is very much concerned about your label a.k.a. your relationship status:

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Last year, a classmate of ours dropped the subject. I remember on his first day upon introduction, somebody from the audience/class blurted out: Are you single or married?

He was obviously irritated and if I remember it correctly, he asked why it was even relevant. He didn't show up the next meeting... and the following meetings until one day we just found out that he already dropped the subject.

Anyway, why is everyone asking about someone else's relationship status nowadays?And why do (some) people allow themselves to be defined by mere tags and labels?