Excellent point there, Scott.
It applies everywhere, unfortunately. If the same two girl coworkers or two guy coworkers always go out to lunch or share a smoke break together, they're "friends," but a guy and a girl always getting together the same way must be "an item."
Really, the main point here is why do we have to (and deserve to) know? I guess I could see talking about it if they went to the Oscars or some other big public event as a couple. But geez, imagine your every move being scrutinized. If you're alone all the time, you must be "lonely" or "looking for love." If you're with someone, anyone, there must be some extraordinary meaning to it. Man, I'd hate to be famous. I'd probably end up being one of those Sean Penn types who'd punch out a photographer or something.