It’s 2026, and dating is harder to navigate than wandering around Newcastle City Center blindfolded: ghosting is more common than marriage, monogamy was left in 2017 and Hinge allocates an online omnipotence where hearts and souls can be crushed at the touch of a button. I confess, I’m not painting a very positive picture of Gen Z’s dating prospects. The intrepid black cloud that is fear of becoming a ‘simp’ looms over our generation, raining embarrassment and shame on anyone who shows an inkling of chalant behaviour towards their significant other. But, alas, not all is lost. Due to these concepts reigning supreme over the better part of the 2020s, as we have moved through the decade there has been a spike in effort to bring back the ‘old school’ notions of love and romance, displaying chivalry and explicit caring behaviour.
...is romance a definitive term? Or can it change and evolve with the times?
This Valentines Day in Newcastle, love permeated the air. As I began my treacherous journey home from work on a cold February evening, bouquets of flowers were dotted around the city like little floral beacons of hope, adoration adorning each petal, and each person gifting. I thought to myself - there are so many different people giving and receiving these flowers, with different lives, different relationship dynamics, different preferences. And yet, all these people are united by one simple act of giving that symbolises one thing: ‘I care about you’.
...it’s what makes you happy that counts.
So, I must admit, my once cynical views of romance in today’s day and age were slightly alleviated. Although I think it’s fair to say that today’s dating culture is a labyrinth of snapscores, Hinge matches and Instagram DMs, traditional concepts of romance are still prevalent. But that also poses the question - is romance a definitive term? Or can it change and evolve with the times? The gift of flowers on Valentines Day, chocolates, Noah’s chivalric housebuilding for Allie in The Notebook - these are the standards of romance that society holds up on a pedestal and which it has previously been defined by. But today, ‘he texted me back within a minute!’ and ‘he sent me such a cute TikTok’ are parts of scenes I catch when at uni, peppered in my peripheral, that often warrant reactions similar to that of a rom-com. Does this mean that standards are dropping? Or are times just changing, and people feel comfortable accepting seemingly ‘lesser’ displays of care?
I believe ideas about romance are entirely personal. Some people revel in the traditional chivalric acts of love, being showered in gifts and public displays of affection. However, this isn’t for everyone - some people find romance in the every day, like maybe being brought a cup of tea in bed with some toast - it’s what makes you happy that counts.