Some men, myself included, would do anything to avoid sitting through a sappy, crappy, generic romantic comedy.  Apparently, my distaste for the genre has actually been a boon to me, as recent survey results reveal that romantic comedies have affected the way people view romantic relationships in real life.  A survey of 1000 Australians reveal that over half have had their expectations of romance changed due to rom-coms, with 25 percent feeling like they should know what their partner is thinking and 20 percent feeling they should get flowers or candy ‘just because.’

“It seems our love of rom-coms is turning us into a nation of ‘happy-ever-after addicts.’  Yet the warm and fuzzy feeling they provide can adversely influence our view of real relationships,” said Gabrielle Morrissey, a relationship counselor.  “Real relationships take work and true love requires more than fireworks.”  Ironically, the survey was commissioned to draw attention to the DVD release of the romantic comedy Valentine’s Day in the land down under.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about some romance, but relationships aren’t magical or even easy.  It’s work to get in one, and it’s even harder work to keep it going if you want it to be meaningful in any way.  Movies aren’t a reflection of reality in any way, shape, or form.  No matter how realistic they might seem, it’s just a freaking movie.

Tags: romantic comedies, unrealistic expectations, surveys, Australia, Valentine’s Day, unusual surveys, romantic comedies harm real relationships, Gabrielle Morrissey, reality and entertainment, relationships

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