I kind of divide things into traditionally "Romantic" and my personal, quirky ideas about what is "romantic."
Capital "R" Romantic is diamond necklaces, a dozen roses, candy in a heart shaped box, wine at a fancy restaurant, wedding proposal on a bended knee. To me, "Romantic" is any kind of gesture of love that buys into the traditional male/female roles and traditional ways of expressing that love.
Small-r romantic to me is anything someone who loves me does that is NOT a generic gesture, but that is one that is aimed at my particular quirks and preferences. Jeff took the cliche of flowers and turned it into something personal when he sent me 10 flowers each day for three days (different kinds, roses on the third day) for the three days leading up to my 30th birthday. My boyfriend gave me a back-scratcher because he knows I love having my back scratched, and he gave me hair ties for putting my hair up in ponytails. Not traditionally "Romantic," but definitely thoughtful and personalized.
It's romantic if something is done for no other reason than pure heartfelt hetero or homosexual love (not be confused with the love of family or the love of community, or other forms of love for which sexual attraction is not appropriate).
Or, kicking back with the Princess Bride and a big bowl of popcorn to feed to each other while snuggling under a big blanket, that's kinda romantic too.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-28 07:02 pm (UTC)Capital "R" Romantic is diamond necklaces, a dozen roses, candy in a heart shaped box, wine at a fancy restaurant, wedding proposal on a bended knee. To me, "Romantic" is any kind of gesture of love that buys into the traditional male/female roles and traditional ways of expressing that love.
Small-r romantic to me is anything someone who loves me does that is NOT a generic gesture, but that is one that is aimed at my particular quirks and preferences. Jeff took the cliche of flowers and turned it into something personal when he sent me 10 flowers each day for three days (different kinds, roses on the third day) for the three days leading up to my 30th birthday. My boyfriend gave me a back-scratcher because he knows I love having my back scratched, and he gave me hair ties for putting my hair up in ponytails. Not traditionally "Romantic," but definitely thoughtful and personalized.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-11-28 09:36 pm (UTC)example, Ryan doing the dishes i find romantic, because he does them because i hate to do them.
motivation
Date: 2005-11-29 03:36 am (UTC)Or, kicking back with the Princess Bride and a big bowl of popcorn to feed to each other while snuggling under a big blanket, that's kinda romantic too.