From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!cires!harkins
Newsgroups: net.singles
Title: expectations
Article-I.D.: cires.2052
Posted: Fri Apr 22 14:34:36 1983
Received: Sat Apr 23 05:30:18 1983

i've long had a theory that most relationships suffer, and some break up
of course, from unrealistic expectations on both sides.  As a man, i
call it the "white knight" syndrome, in that our culture, tv and movie
romances, etc., tend to foster the mindset on the female side, that
someday a white knight type will come along, be perfect, and they'll
live happily ever after.  (Of course, i'm being hyperbolic, and i haven't
yet come up with the analog from the female point of view, but maybe 
as an early iteration: "the Sophia Loren syndrome").  The catch, natch,
is that perfection is hard to come by, so if we can learn to be realistic
about what the opposite partner can, should and ought to be/act/do,
then things will work out.  Funny thing is, i was motivated to send this
by the lady arwen soap opera, and the implicit fantasies, etc. that she
so neatly nails by saying something to the effect that "all you guys would
probably be disappointed" anyway.  Why is it that we all love fantasies
and illusions better than the real thing?  Maybe because there're no
blemishes...  ernie harkins