04-29-2008, 07:59 PM | #1 (permalink) |
Confused Adult
Location: Spokane, WA
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Romance.
1stly.
What is romance? to me: A show of affection that doesn't fit under "normal" circumstances. twist: and is accepted by the recipient, perhaps reciprocated, leading to a romantic evening. so I see the question as to why "romance" is dead. part 2. My theory What is desperation? to me: A show of affection that doesn't fit under "normal" circumstances twist: and is unwelcome by the recipient, leading to an awkward situation. Romance vs Desperation How many movies have we seen where the guy fucks up, and in a last moment effort to win the heart of the girl he loves, chases her down in the airport/plane/runway or whatever variation thereof? These movies are billed mostly as romantic, romantic comedies, and so on. I always wonder though, if she really was done with the guy, and he we through all that, got on to the airport and was ignored/taken away by security/etc.. He's no longer a romantic guy, he's desperate. He's crazy, he's a stalker, he's a lunatic. This is my theory. This seems to fall in to the sexual harrassment vs not debate too. the "Twist" is: Women have complete judgemental power over the situation. If it's unwelcome, it's harrassment, or it's desperate If it's welcome, it's not harrassment, or it's romance. Am I off base on this? |
04-29-2008, 08:27 PM | #2 (permalink) |
More Than You Expect
Location: Queens
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I'm sure there's an argument in there somewhere but I'm not certain of it.
Women aren't always the ones in control - I've had quite a few ladies following me while leaking tears and begging for forgiveness. Didn't quite seem like stalking to me. They may be the gatekeepers of sex. But the dynamics of the relationship aren't always typical. And also, normalcy and romance are loose if not meaningless terms.
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"Porn is a zoo of exotic animals that becomes boring upon ownership." -Nersesian Last edited by Manic_Skafe; 04-29-2008 at 08:30 PM.. |
04-30-2008, 05:10 AM | #3 (permalink) |
Leaning against the -Sun-
Super Moderator
Location: on the other side
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I see what you mean and I've thought about that scenario in "romantic" comedies too.
But as many things, it depends. It depends on the people involved and the context. So, for example, if a guy goes to the "romantic" extreme of chasing after the girl before the plane leaves, if the girl has been with him for a long time, and knows him well, even if she is no longer receptive of his love, that doesn't mean she will consider him a stalker or desperate. She will probably think it's romantic, and recognize that, but she will tell him that unfortunately she feels that their love can no longer be. Also, the girl would have to be somewhat sensitive to the guy. If she was more insensitive, she might just tell him to drop dead, viewing him as neither romantic nor desperate, nor a combination of both, but as some asshole she just wants to get away from. If on the other hand this is a guy she barely knows and who she has just let down, who goes to this extreme, when it seems "uncalled" for (seeing as there is not much history there to fight for, in a sense), then she will definitely not view it as romantic, but instead as desperate and stalker-like. If she is a nice girl, she might be willing to think that though he meant well, he was misguided and might need help... Of course, if it all works out, the gesture becomes automatically more romantic because she has accepted to give it another try. I'm not sure what I'm trying to say here, except it seems to be apparent that if the effort made to reconnect matches the common history/depth of the bond of the couple, then it is more likely for there to be a romantic outcome. Also, even if the guy is rejected, the outcome can be perceived as a romantic effort that sadly didn't work out, depending on how the girl reacts to him. But to me, this gesture, does not come off instantly as romantic. I'd first say it's brave of the guy to just throw caution to the wind and go after what he wants. I think it's not a bad thing, getting rid of all masks and just saying things clearly. And then, it can become romantic, depending on what is said/done. Commenting on your statement of what is romantic: to me: A show of affection that doesn't fit under "normal" circumstances. twist: and is accepted by the recipient, perhaps reciprocated, leading to a romantic evening. Like Manic-Skafe, the idea of normalcy doesn't seem to make sense here. I'd rather say it's a show of affection for someone you love (romantically that is, heh), and that involves an implicit or explicit declaration of "romantic" love, where the person showing affection expects nothing in return except to see the other person happy. Also, I disagree that it has to be reciprocated, even if it is not, there was still a romantic effort involved. Though it's nice when it does lead to that romantic evening you mention
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Whether we write or speak or do but look We are ever unapparent. What we are Cannot be transfused into word or book. Our soul from us is infinitely far. However much we give our thoughts the will To be our soul and gesture it abroad, Our hearts are incommunicable still. In what we show ourselves we are ignored. The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged By any skill of thought or trick of seeming. Unto our very selves we are abridged When we would utter to our thought our being. We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams, And each to each other dreams of others' dreams. Fernando Pessoa, 1918 |
04-30-2008, 06:06 AM | #4 (permalink) |
Upright
Location: reykjavík, iceland
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i´ve always viewed romance simply as 2 people enjoying each others´ company. does that make me naïve?
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mother nature made the aeroplane, and the submarine sandwich, with the steady hands and dead eye of a remarkable sculptor. she shed her mountain turning training wheels, for the convenience of the moving sidewalk, that delivers the magnetic monkey children through the mouth of impossible calendar clock, into the devil's manhole cauldron. physics of a bicycle, isn't it remarkable? |
05-18-2008, 09:08 AM | #5 (permalink) |
Psycho
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Romance is not dead. Many just do not know what "romance" is. Romance is not predatory, but a series of events.
True romance is not a one day/night ordeal. It involves what you hope will be a commitment between the two of you. It involves a basic knowledge of the other. And it does not have to be expensive - favorite color/smell/flower/etc. What is it that she/he likes to do in the spare time? Make yourself available and open to do what she/he wants to do. Keep yourself at a distance in the beginning to learn, and let her/him know you want to be serious about a relationship (no one night stands). True romance involves knowing just who you and your partner are. Flowers on a Monday? Why - no reason, just thought you would enjoy them. |
05-19-2008, 04:54 AM | #7 (permalink) | |
The Reverend Side Boob
Location: Nofe Curolina
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Quote:
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Living in the United Socialist States of America. |
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