What's there to lose?

So I was chatting with a friend today, talking about relationships, and he mentioned that he would settle for me. Trying not to be offended, I asked him what he meant. He quickly clarified that he meant to settle down, not settle for, but then he went on to say, "We all settle for something, if we settle down at all."
Maybe I agree with him, if only just a little bit.
But then something else happened. I had to run, so my friend felt the need to finish the conversation via email. He sent me a very sweet and thoughtful message, saying he thinks I'm awesome and that he's praying for me to find a man who appreciates my awesomeness. But very clearly portrayed in the email was the message that he encourages me not to settle for a guy who is decent and likes me.
Now, several questions come to mind. Isn't that hypocritical, saying we all settle and then telling me not to? Who gets to decide which qualities are worth settling for? Why are some more settle-worthy than others?
But most importantly: why is my romantic life so important to others, but so unimportant to me?
In our chat conversation, I had told my friend that I'm happy being single. And I really am. It wasn't just one of those things you say to get people to stop pitying you. I don't even want to date, because I see no need. I'm committed to Jesus and I'm content.
In the email, however, my friend said that he hopes I find a man who makes me as happy in a relationship as when I'm single. This is strange... Why would I want to be in a relationship if it doesn't make me any happier than I am when I'm single?
If the happiness is equal, why go through all the pain and drama that relationships inherently bring?
I don't want to date. Ever again. Maybe I'll end up married, maybe not. But this giving your heart to someone only to have them break it with their sharp lies, this is not worth my effort or my time.
Some of the guys I work with are trying to get me to go out on a date with someone else at work. I said no, and they demanded to know why. I explained that I'm not interested in a relationship, and they just didn't seem to understand.
People seem to think that there's another level of happiness somewhere out there in relationship-world. They seem to think that you can't be truly or fully happy until you're with someone else. Where does this thinking come from? Why do people need another person to complete their happiness? If you're a Christian, shouldn't your source of happiness be in knowing who you are in Christ? If I know this and I joy in it, then how will being with another person ever make me happier?
And if I'm entirely convinced that no one ever will make me as happy as I am today (or happier), why is everyone trying to prove me wrong? They seem offended that I dare to think this way. That I dare to suggest that my relationship with God is paramount to my relationship with anyone else. That I can find true joy, fulfilment, and completion alone with Jesus. Why are they so determined?
What have they got to lose if I am right?