Romance - The 10 Biggest Misconceptions

Whether you've been in a relationship for over 25 years or are just starting out, we all have our own idea of what romance is. Romance is an essential element of every successful and passionate relationship. Usually relationships start with romance but life has a tendency to interfere. I have listed below what I believe are the 10 biggest misconceptions that people have about Romance:

1.Romance and Sex are the Same Thing: This could not be any further from the truth. Although romance can lead to sex, a person being romantic just for sex will be completely transparent and possibly backfire. Think of Romance as 'Mental Foreplay'. Romance let's your loved one know that not only did you think about them but you took the extra step to show them how much they mean to you.

2.Romance isn't important in a relationship: Between our jobs, hobbies, and all the other things that life throws at us, our relationship with our partner tends to take a back seat to those things we perceive as more important in life. The reality is that the relationship with our partner is the glue that holds everything else in our life together. Adding Romance to your relationship will not only make it more exciting but also more enjoyable.

3.Being Romantic requires a lot of money: Romance isn't about how much money you spend on your partner. It's about trying to make some of their fantasies and dreams come true. Most of the time just opening the door for your partner or complementing them on the way they look will make them feel more loved than buying them an expensive gift.

4.Romance requires a great deal of time and effort: While some aspects of romance can require lots of time, romance is also about the little things that make a big difference in a relationship. A simple thing like turning down the lights, putting on your favorite CD and dancing in the kitchen while dinner is in the oven exudes Romance and takes very little time and effort.

5.Only Women are Romantic: In most relationships, the woman is considered to be more romantic, however this does not have to be the case. Both men and women need to partake in the hunt for romance. The only difference between a romantic person and the unromantic person is the amount of time they devote to doing the little things for their partner and their relationship.

6.Flowers and candy always work: Although flowers and candy are a nice gesture, they are so commonplace. You can still give your partner flowers and candy but spice it up some. Try taking your partner to the place where you first met or kissed and present the flowers and candy to them there. Going that extra step and not stopping at ordinary makes all of the difference when it comes to Romance.

7.You're either born a romantic or you're not: The truth is, no one is born with a 'Romance Gene'. Everyone has to learn how to be romantic either from a book, the way your friends or family treat each other, movies, TV, or some other resource. One nice thing about Romance is that it is contagious, as time goes on you want to be more and more romantic towards your partner and chances are your partner will be more romantic in return.

8.Saying 'I Love You' is enough: Everyone likes to hear 'I Love You' but when it comes to Romance, actions can say more than a thousand words ever will. Being truly romantic is about backing up the words with something your partner will remember. Try something like writing 'I Love You' on the top of the stick of butter with a toothpick before setting it on the table for dinner.

9.Romance takes a lot of preparation: The nice thing about Romance is that there is no exact formula - what one person finds extremely romantic may not be romantic at all to someone else. The key to being Romantic is to find out what your partner finds Romantic. Don't be afraid to ask them, they will be glad you did.

10.Being Romantic on Valentines Day and Sweetest Day is enough: Being romantic on the days you are supposed to be is expected. Being romantic all year round on the other hand is vital to the overall health of you relationship. Every successful relationship needs impulsiveness and spontaneity - it keeps things exciting.

Bryan Heestand is the owner/operator of the vastly popular website http://www.rominder.com/

Rominder.com is a simple, inexpensive, and convenient way to become more impulsive, spontaneous, and romantic all year long. Not only will Rominder.com remind you to be Romantic via email, they will also send you a Romance tip or idea along with the reminder. Copyright Rominder.com - All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

Are You Aware of the 10 Biggest Romance Myths? Relationship & Dating Advice

It does not matter whether you have over 25 years experience managing one or many relationships or a novice in this zone, each one of us have our own ideas of Romance. The definitions are as diverse as the person whose idea it is. Every relationship starts with romance, but somewhere in between life with its banalities come in the way. Whatever your beliefs and notions may be about Romance, I have drawn up a list which according to me are the most common myths about Romance:

1. No difference between romance and sex. Completely wrong notion. Romance can, in the least, is a precursor to sex. If a person becomes romantic, with only sex in mind, he will soon meet his Waterloo. Consider romance as a mere "mental foreplay". It helps you to inform your loved one what your feelings are and that you have taken care to express your feelings.

2. Romance has no place in a relationship. Agreed, our work, hobbies and everything sometimes get higher priority than just romancing. But let us not forget that it is the romance in our lives, with our partner, that holds our lives together. It is that proverbial cementing factor which keeps our balance and keep us on track - not just with the partner, but with life in general. It is truly the pivot of life.

3. You need cash to be romantic. No way. You don't have to flaunt your bank balance to be romantic. It's all about making some small wishes and dainty dreams come true. Many times, pulling up a chair, opening the door, carrying a heavy bag for your partner or just paying a compliment on how she is looking today, takes you miles ahead in a romance, which no amount of expensive gifts and dinners can achieve.

4. Romance needs extra time and more extra effort. While I agree that some aspects of romance is indeed time consuming, but a whole lot of small and insignificant things can add a lot of romance to your relationship. Simple acts like making that phone call at the most unexpected time, turning the lights low, putting on her favorite music as she enters the room or prancing in the kitchen while dinner is getting cooked, can enliven and rekindle romance in your lives.

5. Romance is a woman only topic. It is a myth that women take the lead when it comes to the mater of romancing. Both men and women can jointly hunt out romance. The only difference lies is a romantic person thinks up of various small things to add that spark, whereas an unromantic person hardly has any innovative ideas.

6. Candy and flowers are enough. Of course they work in a romantic situation but don't you think it has become very cliché? Try adding something new to the old thing. Present her with flowers and candy at a place where you first met or kissed. Doing or even thinking of doing this small extra bit, takes you a long way.

7. You're either a born romantic or you can't do it. I fully agree, you can't fake romance. However there is nothing yet discovered called the "romance gene", with which guys like Richard Burton or women like Marilyn Monroe were born. You need not be born with any special talent to be romantic. If it does not occur to you naturally, you can always take tips from books, internet or even TV. And the best thing about romance is that you can spread romance. You be romantic with your partner. Chances are that your partner will definitely reciprocate.

8. Saying I love you is enough. You can say this a hundred times during the day but it still may not be enough, if you are thinking of true romance. Actions speak louder than words here. Do something to show, take a small step to prove that "I love you" than just saying it. Write I love you on a small Post -It and stick on the bookmark of the book she will read before she goes to bed. Or write those magic words with a toothpick on a slab of butter at the breakfast table. Think and think hard. You will find many creative ways.

9. Romance needs a lot of preparation. The best part about romance is that there is no tried and tested formula which one can follow. Because the whole mater is subjective - what you find romantic might be silly to another. Devise your own ways...do something that matches your capabilities, and more importantly do something which your partner finds equally romantic. If you are clueless, ask, they are glad you took interest in the subject.

10. Its more than enough to be Romantic on Valentines Day and Sweetest Day. It is expected of you to be romantic on special days like these and your anniversary, birthdays etc. But can you be romantic all year round? Can you be consistent with your romantic ideas? If you can, then you have the key to a most romantic relationship of your life time. Something where the spark is permanently on.

Joshua Goh is dating & relationship expert. His desire is to motivate and support single men, women and couples to overcome the obstacles preventing them from attaining the loving relationships and lives they really want. For more information please visit our site for up-to-date free personals reviews and practical online dating tips & ideas.