There is a complaint issued via voiceover at the beginning of How to Be Single about women's stories always being told through relationships. This is followed by the audience being informed that the story we're about to get isn't about relationships. It is exceptionally disappointing then, but in no way whatsoever a surprise, that the rest of the movie focuses heavily on relationships. Right up front, How to Be Single offers a tortured sort of logic on the nature of its existence.