My husband and I had a discussion about being romantic last night. I will not tell you which one of us thought what about the conversation, I do not want to get answers based on who will side with the guys and who will side with the ladies.
In your opinion is there a difference between being affectionate and being romantic? One of us thinks there is and the other thinks they are the same. If you think they are different, please let me know what the difference is in your opinion. Thanks for your help!!
2007-03-14 09:06:28 · 25 answers · asked by Nothing but the truth...!! 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
RE: to SETI
I was cooking and he came up behind me and gave me a hug and a kiss, he said "see, and you say I am not romantic" I told him romantic to me what coming home sweeping me away for dinner on the town, or suprising me with a full body massage, or sending flowers for no reason. I told him that I love that he is affectionate, that I still feel he is not extremely romantic. He finally responded...so when you bake me my favorite cake and make my favorite dinner you are being romantic...I told him I thought I was. Thats about all the conversation was about, but we started wondering if more people felt the way I did or the way he did....or if it was more of a male female thing.
These answers are GREAT thanks!! I guess I can see where they could get confused in the male mind. LOL! Just kidding. They are very similar, but I just think there IS a difference.
2007-03-14 09:34:01 · update #1
At the risk of being oversimplistic....since there are so many good answers here, I will only add this: to me, affection is the physical touching of the bodies--hugging, kissing, holding hands....romance is the touching of the heart--the little things done that scream to the other person, "I've been thinking about you all day, and how much I want to be with you."
2007-03-14 09:52:21 · answer #1 · answered by Gumbi 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, just my opinion, but I do think there is a difference. I think being affectionate is just a general way you show someone you are fond of them. You can be affectionate with a friend or your family. A hug, touching someone when you talk to them, etc. or even smiling and being friendly are some ways I think affection are shown. Affection to me is more akin to goodwill or friendship.
Being romantic, on the other hand, to me has the end goal of physical intimacy.
As an example, my boyfriend and I often hang out together on the sofa and read. We are usually lounged comfortably in some snuggly fashion, both reading our own books. Enjoying one another's company and physical nearness, but the energy is more comfortable than it is sexual. I would view that as demonstrating our mutual affection. If one of us put down our book and started heating things up, that would move it into romance!!
Of course I could be wrong, but to me affection and romance conjure up two totally different emotions.
Just an opinion...
2007-03-14 09:21:09 · answer #2 · answered by ratgrrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a big difference in being affectionate and being romantic. Affectionate is holding your hand, a kiss, a hug, and having sex. Being romantic is holding your wife's chair while she sits down, opening a door for her(especially a car door), walking hand in hand, a kiss, a warm hug, helping her on with her coat, letting her order a meal before you do, looking into her eyes instead of at her chest, sharing a sunset without expecting sex, talking to her not at her, listening to her every word, and finally making love to her. Having sex takes minutes, making love takes much much longer! Comparing affection and romance: Affection is a snack - romance is the seven course meal followed by dessert.
2007-03-14 09:19:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it depends on how you look at affection and romance. Showing affection can definitely be romantic, if you're looking at it from more of a female point of view. Guys generally tend to look at romance as being the thing they have to do to receive affection (aka sex). I think men and women tend to look at this completely differently. As a woman, I think there are many different ways to be affectionate with other people, and they're not always romantic, but sometimes they are. Does that make sense? I mean, obviously when you show affection to your children, that's not romantic. Romance would be reserved for your significant other/spouse.
That's my opinion, as a woman.....
2007-03-14 09:13:30 · answer #4 · answered by basketcase88 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a difference in being affectionate and romantic. Being affectionate with someone is spending quality time with them, cuddling, etc. Being romantic is candlelight dinners, calls just because, etc. You can be affectionate with a friend or family member. Being romantic takes a little more.
2007-03-14 09:22:22 · answer #5 · answered by cinnatigg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being affectionate an being romantic are two different things to my mind. Affection is more of a physical showing of feelings, while romance is more of the set-up or actions that would facilitate being affectionate.
2007-03-14 09:17:35 · answer #6 · answered by SodaLicious 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being affectionate is pleasing touches and caressing. Kissing, cuddling and hugging are also part of being affectionate. But being romantic is being affectionate with soft music or giving gifts of flowers (or chocolates). Romatic would include mood lighting, or being alone with eachother where you will not be interrupted.
Please note I have not included and sexually activity in these two categories. I beleive the sex follow these two, affection and romance. Affection and romance are part of the seduction, not the sex.
2007-03-14 09:20:50 · answer #7 · answered by zax_fl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, let me ask: did you both agree beforehand on the precise definition of "affectionate" and "romantic" before trying to decide if they are the same or different? If not, go back to the drawing board and define exactly what you mean by "affectionate" and what you mean by "romantic". Once you agree on the definitions, the question of whether they are the same or different will answer itself. Perhaps your definitions are different, therefore you're comparing apples and oranges. I think that generally speaking, romance and affection do overlap to a large degree - affection can be seen as romantic, and actions of a romantic nature can be viewed as signs of affection. But the precise overlap will depend on your particular definition of the two concepts.
2007-03-14 09:14:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oh boy. My husband and I have this debate also. Me, being a woman, thinks there is a BIG difference between the two. Romance is when a man or woman plans a special night. Maybe make dinner, light candles, run a nice bath, put on some special music, etc. Affection is just being kissed, hugging, holding hands, etc. I guess you could say affection is physical and romance is mental?
2007-03-14 09:11:38 · answer #9 · answered by bina64davis 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes I think they are different. Being affectionate can be hugs, kisses, touching, or saying nice things. Being romantic is more action than anything else.
2007-03-14 09:10:28 · answer #10 · answered by daprty1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋