What Is "Romance"?

[SanFranciscan]

I see frequent requests on this site for suggestions for romantic things to do at Disney theme parks. I am sometimes asked for suggestions for romantic activities right here in San Francisco as well. Perhaps I am being a dimwit about this, but I am often uncertain what is meant by the question.

Money and sex are touchy subjects. People telling me that they are looking for something inexpensive haven't told me what they would consider expensive. If you have the proverbial champagne tastes on a beer budget, I can help you locate the best beer. The champagne, however, shall remain out of reach. If what the person speaking really wants for me to suggest is an activity certain to result in sex, I am very unlikely to be asked that question in a direct manner. Yet the person asking wants me to answer in a very direct manner, even when it means speaking for someone whose moral views I do not know. Has anyone else asked for suggestions for romantic places and activities felt as though they were being expected to answer a question that they hadn't been asked?

I would just like the most generic definition know to humanity when I ask, what is meant by "romantic"?

 

[blanq]

Well, I think that your thread is an interesting one and a topic I really haven't pondered before. I guess I think that romance is such a subjective thing. When people ask about romantic things to do at WDW what comes to mind is all the cliche things that I personally never find romantic...a quiet, darkened restaurant; roses; a champagne toast. To me, romantic is when my DH does the laundry, irons my dress pants for work and doesn't tell me (I just find them all pressed and ready on the hanger), whispers some funny or special thing in my ear when walking through a huge crowd, is a gentle mentor to our 15 yo DS, buys me flowers on any old day "just because" and he has picked out each flower in the bouquet individually always including some exotic one that I have never seen (he would NEVER do the cliche dozen roses on Valentines Day...in 24 years of marriage I have never received flowers on Valentines Day and if he did, I would probably give him some crap for lack of creativity) or stopping in the middle of a grocery store aisle to sneak a kiss with me (maybe one a bit longer than he should ask for in public). Yeah...that's romance.

 

[SanFranciscan]

Thank you Blang. I think that a lot of people are as uncomfortable with this topic as I am, and that is why the cliches are the typical response to requests for "romantic" activities.

 

[soupy11]

An activity that puts intimacy to the forefront.

Example - going to a movie is not romantic while a private walk on a beach followed by a picnic for two would be.

 

[Suzie Zoo]

My answer is the same today as it was yesterday... end zone seats And to be honest, I'd find the movie to be more romantic than the walk on the beach... as long as we're talking The Dark Knight and not Mamma Mia.

Bringing me flowers just because you saw them and thought of me is romantic. Buying them because today is Valentine's Day and that's what you're supposed to do really isn't romantic... at least not in my opinion.

I think people put too much pressure on themselves and their significant other to be "romantic".

 

[crz4mm2]

Now, if MY DH bought me flowers on V-tine day, I would think that was romantic, cause he just doesn't do that very often.
Probably the most romantic thing he has ever done was take the day off work (unknown to me) go to the store, buy me roses, and a card and bring them to my work to deliver them to me, himself, on our anniversary
Just so unlike him.

 

[L107ANGEL]

What a great topic!! I think romance is knowing someone is missing you, can't stop thinking about you stuff like that.

 

[Uncle Remus]

...sigh

 

[L107ANGEL]

...sigh

Cat got your tongue?

 

[Uncle Remus]

Cat got your tongue?

Kinda, I'm really shy.

 

[L107ANGEL]

Kinda, I'm really shy.

Yeah, ok

 

[beattyfamily]

Doing something very thoughtful and sweet for the person you love....

 

[SanFranciscan]

I think people put too much pressure on themselves and their significant other to be "romantic".

I think that you are right. The more I think about the answers to this question, the more I suspect that romantic love is a love from afar.

 

[wvdisluv2]

"Romance" is my DH getting up at 5:30am to have coffee with me before I went to work and starting my car (it was COLD!) when he could have slept in (we'll be married 14 yrs on Halloween)

 

[denisem]

"Romance" is my DH getting up at 5:30am to have coffee with me before I went to work and starting my car (it was COLD!) when he could have slept in (we'll be married 14 yrs on Halloween)

If you haven't seen the movie "Fargo" you won't get this:

Marge: "Norm! Prowler needs a jump!"

Seriously...given a choice between a) a dozen roses & walk on the beach -and- b) Cleaning up the cat puke...I'll pick B everytime!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Not sure if I have the definitive answer, as I am sure "romance" means different things for different people.

I think you have to "experience" romance......such as.....driving to Big Sur....
stopping off in Carmel, having a picnic lunch on the beach with some Chardonnay......eventually arriving at Nepenthe in Big Sur......and having a split of champagne delivered to your table..and being proposed to......