The ick factor

In season six of sex and the city, we saw Carrie Bradshaw being bombarded with romantic gestures and gifts from her ‘Russian’. Even though she had always dreamed of a man behaving and treating her romantically (Mr. Big in particular), when faced with this situation, she felt surprisingly uncomfortable. Living in New York and knowing the average New York guy, Carrie and Co felt that a man giving up his seat on the subway was romantic.

But what about us ladies in Rhondda Cynon Taff, are our expectations of romance also low? Or, do we expect romantic grand gestures from men?

These days, when we date, we don’t automatically expect to be picked up from home by the guy, have the car door opened and closed for us. We never expect to be brought flowers or chocolates on our date and if our date kissed us on our hand at the end of the night we’d just be baffled. What’s more, we don’t need men to pay for a meal, the cinema tickets or a night out. Has the romance from dating died?

In a time where we accept emails and text messages from guys instead of love letters, and jokes rather than poetry, it’s no surprise that some of us are becoming immune to romance.

Or, could it be we prefer it this way? As a result, when the time comes for romance, it will mean all the more to us. Could it be that we just don’t have the time for romance anymore? Do our jobs, homes, paying bills and social lives mean romance is the last thing on our minds?

You’d think living in Wales we would be used to romance; after all, poet Dylan Thomas lived and wrote love poetry here. Love spoons originated in Wales which young men used to give to their dates. Plus Wales has some of the most romantic spots in the U.K.

So, when we do expect a little romance, does it haveto be something extraordinary, such as a weekend in St. Davids? Or would fish, chips and a can of larger in front of the T.V be all the romance you need?

I guess it all depends on personal taste. If you’re with the right guy, it wouldn’t matter if his idea of romance was a luxury holiday, or giving you his last Rollo.