Written by: Danielle Moffatt
Once upon a time, there was a charismatic prince called Prince Charming. He lived in the realm of women’s fantasies and ruined the realities of the men who ruled the day. The tales of his chivalrous acts were inscribed in the minds of swooning damsels.
Prince Charming’s myth was birthed from patriarchy and men’s innate need to protect and appear dashing while doing so, but it was the romanticists that nurtured the myth. These were women who could not fashion an escape from the ‘tower’ they were helplessly locked in, needed saving from the evildoers in their lives, needed a crutch to help them experience new places and achieve acceptance, and preferred fantasy to the starkness of reality.
The impossibly unattainable ideal held so much appeal because of its ties to the promise of happily ever after; the perfect mate being the key to a lasting relationship. With the divorce rate currently at its highest, it would appear that the Prince Charming of old has shunned modern society. His absence, therefore, calls for the reinvention of the fabled hero.
Reinventing Prince Charming
Men can be charming, but they can also be self-centred cowards, and a slew of other traits that can be viewed as repulsive—the opposite of appealing. Therefore, there is no such thing as perfection, and there is no such thing as a one size fits all ideal man for every woman. We must accept that Prince Charming bears the characteristics of the mind that conjures him. E.L. James thought up the dominant billionaire Christian Grey and Stephenie Meyer dreamt up the swoon-worthy vampire Edward Cullen. Become the man that charms the woman you are with, because as Judy* an everyday white-collar Jamaican woman puts it, “every woman has unique expectations that needs to be met. I am not a damsel who needs to be rescued by anyone”.
Aim not to become the generic one- size- fits- all fabled prince in Snow White, The Little Mermaid or Cinderella, but instead, embrace some of the traits your partner holds in high regard. For instance, if your partner finds a man who cooks appealing, then surprise her by occasionally cooking for her. Meeting some of your spouse’s requirements will elevate your appeal and dull the other less charming, but human qualities.
Don’t be meagre with compliments
Who does not like to be showered with praises? This is a small act of love that has a significant impact because it is an effective way of communicating your feelings.
Be supportive
It is said that negative attracts positive, but there are occasions where Newton’s third law should be forgotten. Nothing is more attractive than a man who does everything to help his partner succeed.
To read more, please purchase a copy of Buzzz Caribbean Lifestyle Magazine Vol 10 #10 in a store near you.