This week, the Sexual Health and Relationships team got to the bottom of the concept of ‘romance’ around the world…
What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done/has been done for you?
America (girl’s perspective): When my ex-boyfriend came to pick me up after I spent six weeks at a summer camp, I had a few hours to kill. He had told me he was going to go mountain biking (something he loved) during that time. Instead, he went into town and bought me for my birthday a bracelet I’d showed him the last time he’d been in town. He gave up his time for me, and that was really romantic in my book.
America (guy’s perspective): For prom, I was in the acapella group in high school and after we sung ‘My Girl’ to a huge crowd, I ran back stage and grabbed a HUGE sign that read to my girlfriend at the time “Will You Be My Girl?” asking her to prom. Of course she said yes.
Australia (guy’s perspective): Picture this. It was amazing. New Year’s Eve, last year, on top of a four story building on the roof in Brooklyn, NYC, looking over the harbor, you could see the fireworks in Time Square and over the Statue of Liberty. I’m standing on the roof kissing someone really special to me at midnight, and that’s when she told me she loved me. Then she went downstairs and I just took in the moment.
Turkey (girl’s perspective): So my high school was in the best part of Istanbul. And I was having this first date with a guy. He knew how much I wanted to see my high school at night, so he found a way to get us in. And the view was amazing. He brought wine from Italy that he’d been saving for two years. And what made it really special was that no one had ever got in to see the school at night like we did and I don’t think anyone ever will, it was a one time thing.
British (girl’s perspective): I think romantic things are the really small things a boy will do for you, the things that don’t cost them anything but show how much you mean to them and also how well they know you. Little stupid things like saving me my favourites sweets or writing me little notes. Something that takes time, effort and care is so much more romantic than an expensive meal or present.
So what do you think? Are grand gestures the most meaningful or is it the little things that really make a big difference?