It’s Not Like the Movies: Rom-Com Clichés That Rarely Happen
Admit it, don’t we all have a special place in our heart for rom-coms? Who doesn’t like a couple of hours of unabashedly over-the-top romance? Even some of the cringiest movies are entertaining! Rom-coms are a nice escape from our busy lives because all you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the lovefest on your screen.
As awesome as rom-coms are, they can unfortunately lead to unrealistic expectations. Thanks to their idealistic/fantastical (and sometimes, outlandish) nature, they can skew some people’s views on relationships. So as much as we like to have our own cinematic moments, they’re frankly impossible. I hate to burst your bubble, but reality is a 180 from cinema.
Love isn’t like how movies depict it. These are some rom-com tropes that won’t fly in the real world:
1. Kissing in the rain
Does the picture above ring a bell?
You’ve seen this kiss in notable rom-coms like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Sweet Home Alabama, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This trope doesn’t stop at rom-coms, as some of the most famous depictions come from a romantic drama (The Notebook) and a superhero movie (Spider-Man).
As romantic as they look on-screen, it’s not as glamorous in real-life attempts. Your clothes get soaking wet, your hair becomes a frizzy mess, and the cold makes you shiver — and not in a good way!
2. Dramatic airport chases
In this cliché, the climax has one-half of the main couple sprinting for their life at the airport to catch their other half, either to see them one last time or convince them to stay. Perhaps the most iconic portrayal of the trope is in Christmas staple Love Actually, where little Samuel dashes through Heathrow Airport to see his dream girl.
Are you tempted to try it in real life? My advice: don’t do it! Running through busy airports will not only earn you strange stares but will also land you in hot water with security.
3. Meet-cutes
Meet-cutes are a movie tale that’s old as time. Their locations vary in countless films, from quirky bookstores (Notting Hill) to crowded streets (The Wedding Planner). One thing they all have in common is that they have the main couple meeting each other for the first time, with lovestruck eyes to match.
Cue the romantic background music!
Of all the tropes listed, this one is, so far, the most likely to play out in reality. Meet-cutes do happen in real life! However, they’re not as über romantic. Also, think of it this way: when you’re running late and bump into an attractive person, chances are, it won’t be love at first sight. Instead, you’re most likely to get pissed off for the rest of the day because of the wasted seconds.
4. Public declarations of love
Picture this: one of you finally realizes that the love of your life was right by your side all along. Where have your eyes been, right? To win their heart, you make a bold gesture unabashedly declaring your love in a crowded place. Seems like a winning tactic, yes?
Unfortunately, the answer may not be what you hope for.
Public declarations may pressure the other person to make a decision they won’t like and will regret later. You don’t want to put the person in a compromising position!
5. One misunderstanding leads to an immediate breakup
Things are going swimmingly well until something from either your past or the other person’s history resurfaces. Not good, right? And because of that, you kiss your relationship goodbye.
Does it seem dramatic? Yes, because it really is!
Reality is a stark contrast to the silver screen. If scenarios like this happen, you and your partner want ironed-out details before coming to conclusions.
You can enjoy a rom-com for what it is: a pleasant fictional romp. Just don’t let it cloud your expectations of romance — you’ll only set yourself up for disappointment.
