Looking for romance? Start with respect

By: Caroline McKay
Posted In: Opinion

I love the HBO series Sex and the City. Carrie Bradshaw, a well-known New York City columnist writes about relationships. Even though I’m a humble writer in Newport, I’d like to start this feature off in Bradshaw fashion.

As Valentine’s Day approaches and stores stock up on chocolate, stuffed animals and candy; I can’t help but wonder. Has real romance and traditional dating been replaced by group outings and late-night bar crawls?

Just a quick look around Newport and you can notice the changes. Stores are closed for the winter season, snow seems to come and go and shiny red Valentine’s Day gifts have filtered their way into CVS and Wal-Mart. So in preparation for Feb. 14, the designated day for lovers to express their love for each other, I ask you: Can we go out to dinner first?

Before the flowers and the candy, what every girl wants is to be romanced in the simplest form. Respect and a general hello will take young men far.

For many upperclassmen at SRU, Thursday is the beginning of the weekend. Girls start their beauty regime before going to downtown Newport. But where are all these beautiful and intelligent young women going? Well if they’re 21 you’ll most likely find them at a bar with friends. How come they aren’t at one of the many fantastic restaurants in the area?

Some women think formal dating is awkward and prefer more comfortable social group settings. Christine Hurney, 21, a senior at SRU would rather go to a bar with friends to meet new people.

“It’s awkward sitting at a table for dinner with a person you don’t know,” said Hurney. A bar or club is a more social setting. So today, instead of a romantic dinner at an Italian restaurant, it’s all about group dating with friends beside you to take the awkwardness out of the moment. “Going in groups takes the edge off,” says Hurney.

Others think that the culture today is completely different from the days of wining and dining.

Maybe young women have gotten used to the idea that hopeless romantics aren’t as prominent as they were years ago.

We’re content with a phone call or text and an occasional instant message on the computer. The idea of what romance is has changed and people have taken other opportunities that seem more comfortable.

But for this Valentine’s Day let’s all try to be a little more traditional and just a bit more romantic.