I wonder if it is possible to exactly pin point the moment in which the reality of chivalry and romance died. Obviously the concepts still exist, but it seems only as figments of a false actuality that never quite seems to be true. The media would have us believe romance is at a strongpoint in its existence, spitting out film after film of pure disillusioned bullshit. Girl pines for boy, boy doesn't even know she exists, then after some random turn of events, boy decides to pursue girl, a fling begins, until some bitch kisses him at a party, breaks girl heart, big romantic gesture to win her back, she accepts, everyone is happy. I have yet to see this fairy tale play out in real life.

Call me a cynic if you will, but at some point in the past 20 years or so, the necessity for a man to woo his woman fell into a chasm deeper than the pit Tartarus, caged deep beneath our human day to day. Who is to blame? Undoubtedly any woman reading this is getting ready to step up onto that high horse and blame the easiest target, the lesser of the sexes, men. Because of course, it is men who have stopped the gestures, is it not? It is the man who no longer brings flowers to a first date; The man who no longer writes songs and sonnets expressing his deepest most appreciation for the opposite sex and one woman in particular; The man who no longer holds her desires in the highest regard, so much so that he would give up his own just to please her, right? WRONG.

The fault for romance's most brutal and gruesome demise lies on the ladies, I am sorry to say. For it is the women who no longer demand that men even appease (not even exceed) what WAS necessary to win a beautiful maiden's heart. Year after year, as my array of close female friends grows and develops, again and again I am made to listen to the same list of grievances. "Why can't I date a nice guy? Why won't a guy take me out to wine and dine me? Why can't my romantic life be more like in the movies?". Here's a little hint. IF YOU DON'T MAKE HIM DO IT, HE WON'T! Constantly these women complain about their predicaments while entirely avoiding putting any responsibility for the situation on themselves. If you want a boyfriend that treats you a certain way, only date guys that treat you that way. Because the reality is that the majority of guys want one thing, to fuck. To fuck so hard and so often that they can barely even handle it. And the minute a girl starts giving him that without him having worked his fucking ass off to earn it, well that's just one more bullet through the heart of affection and courtship.

Ladies, like with anything in life, if you want it, you have to make it happen. If you are similar minded to me, and believe that nothing quite reaches the height of allure as a truly movie-made date, then don't say yes to any date that sinks below your requirements, NOT requests, requirements. Hold off until you find a guy that looks into your eyes and forgets what he ever thought he wanted, because at that moment, all he wants to do is everything he can to make you as happy as possible.

Maybe romance isn't dead, but rather in a deep comatose sleep, hiding away from the outside world. You can either pull the plug, or keep waiting at it's bedside until it's eyes open again.