20+ Women Confess What Gestures They Now Consider to Be 'Creepy' That Were Formerly 'Romantic'

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Dec 29, 2023 3:00 PM EST

The times they are a changing, baby. You can't just grab you a partner and legally bind them to you for a couple of chickens anymore. That might have been romantic way wayyy back in the day, but obviously that is not something in our evolved society that is considered romantic. There are many obvious "romantic gestures" we have all out grown as a society, but that is ever-changing and now there are some not-so-obvious ones we're all starting to realize. For example, in the early 2000s, a guy you dumped showing up to your house with a boombox playing a love song and crying for you because they can't function without you was one of the most romantic gestures and was featured in popular rom-coms. Now, that sounds a little stalker-ish and to most woman and like you don't understand that no means no. See where I'm getting at? Well, if you need to be enlightened on what "romantic gestures" are now considered to be "creepy" scroll on down and see what these woman had to say!

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  • 01
    LED 3
    via Pickpic
  • 02
    Posted by u/Amazing-Science7894 a 4 days ago What gestures do you now consider creepy but formerly romantic?
    via u/Amazing-Science7894
  • 03
    poshde. 4 days ago You're mature for your age
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  • 04
    funky_mugs. 4 days ago Edward Cullen sneaking into Bella's house to watch her sleep. Da fuq.
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  • 05
    WanderingToPar adise ● 4 days ago Not taking no for an answer.
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  • 06
    Numerous-Suit- 7668 ● 4 days ago You are not like other girls
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  • 07
    poopy_dufus 4 days ago Being crazy in love without really knowing me
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  • 08
    Reddish81. 4 days ago 오 He's being horrible to you because he likes you
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  • 09
    GalaxiGazer . 4 days ago Them telling me any variation of "I'm not like any of the guys from your past".
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  • 10
    I used to believe that they were really trying to fight for my heart. In reality, they wanted me to ignore my screaming intuition telling me to run from them.
    via u/GalaxiGazer
  • 11
    stillyou1122 4 days ago ● Someone wanting too much of my time and his world revolving around me. I thought this was romantic until I learned about boundaries. I learned
    via u/stillyou1122
  • 12
    that loving someone doesn't mean owning them. Loving someone is letting them be their own person and respecting that, and trusting them that they have your best interest at heart.
    via u/stillyou1122
  • 13
    SnookerandWhiskey. 4 days ago Big public declarations of love. Used to think it was the goal, you know, boombox in the yard,
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  • 14
    stadium proposal that sort of thing... now, I just see it as a public shaming/coercion technique.
    via u/SnookerandWhiskey
  • 15
    Odd_Decision_3305. 4 days ago Gosh I was really young but not every guy would find you to be gorgeous but I do'
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  • 16
    -Darlyn- · 4 days ago When my SO randomly grabs my tata. This could be whenever I'm cooking or watching TV. You always have to ask. Well, with me anyway, some relationships are different.
    via u/-Darlyn-
  • 17
    ● nayeppeo 4 days ago I hear so many stories from the older generation about how a man will follow (STALK!) a woman until she says yes to a date, then later
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  • 18
    get married. These couples laugh and say "and the rest is history!" when they retell the story. Like ok if you're happy bud
    via u/nayeppo
  • 19
    ccccccxy 4 days ago ● probably being persistent even after you decline and tell them you're not interested, in my head it
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    was sweet and meant they really liked me but once it happened i realized how scared i was
    via u/ccccccxy
  • 21
    오 free-the-imps · 4 days ago Gift bombing (also know as love bombing) Too many flowers, expensive jewellery - and usually (funnily enough, eh?) after an issue arises in the relationship.
    via u/free-the-imps
  • 22
    And that issue may in itself be a red flag moment. Cue the lavish gesture. Because this lavish gesture can be an abusive tactic to solicit gratitude or
    via u/free-the-imps
  • 23
    gratefulness and push aside the issue without a conversation or accountability otherwise being taken. Why do they need to be accountable, when they've spent so! much! money! to show they care?
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  • 24
    No amount of money spent will wipe out domestic abuse or toxic behaviours like lying, cheating, infidelity et al. What it will do is steamroll right over those issues - and/or hurt of the giftee - and
    via u/free-the-imps
  • 25
    stop any conversation about change in their tracks - they don't need to happen because, roses, gold, diamonds etc have been produced to silence you.
    via u/free-the-imps
  • 26
    Suddenly it's not about listening and change, it's spotlight on the fabulous 'gift' - but it's not a gift at all it's a diversion►
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  • 27
    Don't accept them. Even if they come with promises. Especially if they come with the type of promises that cancel out all the words you really should have had the space to say.
    via u/free-the-imps
  • 28
    The Purple Mister. 4 days ago "I can't live without you."
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  • 29
    lyssiemiller 4 days ago ● When a guy you just met calls you "hun" or "love". Pet names are for your girlfriend. Not for every girl you talk to.
    via u/lyssiemiller
  • 30
    sararini. 4 days ago Talking about marrying me only one month into the relationship. Uh no, you barely know me.
    via u/sararini
  • 31
    O DoctorElleGee. 4 days ago Standing outside her house singing a love song (like every teen movie ever)
    via u/DoctorElleGee
  • 32
    Euphoric-Effective30 4 days ago ● Wait for me....
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  • 33
    StatementActive1998 4 days ago ● Finding me on social media after I quit being on a dating app
    via u/StatementActive1998
  • 34
    xxxKatexx. 4 days ago Trying to kiss me or cuddle while we fight or I'm upset. I NEED MY SPACE DUDE, OFF. I can became very
    via u/xxxKatexx
  • 35
    defensive If I don't want to look at you and talk to you, just get out of my way until i calm down.
    via u/xxxKatexx

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boyfriend wifey relationship advice relationship marriage cute couples meet cute female advice romance wholesome love hubby romantic gestures girlfriend feminism love Happily Ever After women supporting women dating women advice
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