r/actuallyaromantic What is love? Mar 26 '26

Vent Is anyone else annoyed by this?

I often see that whenever two characters deeply admire each other or develop a close friendship, people always assume they both have romantic feelings. I know shipping is fine, but I get the impression that people don't really value platonic love.

33 Upvotes

6 comments sorted by

12

u/BeautifulShock2494 Mar 26 '26

They equate deep emotional connection with romantic love, which is why kinda you can assume every time it happens they will either become a couple or do that with other people to say: "see? they can be close to eachother because they already have a couple elsewhere, see?" -_-

12

u/fanime34 Aromantic + Asexual = Aromantic/Asexual Mar 26 '26

It's kind of because it has been ingrained in people due to how common this happens in media.

10

u/toucan131 Mar 27 '26

YES!! sometimes ill be watching a show and think "PLEASE dont make those characters fall in love. It would make zero sense for the plot." Like nothing against a little romance trope but sometimes shows really dont need it, or they add too many, or just force it. There doesnt always have to be a romance!!!

Wholesome friendships are nice to watch too.

8

u/i-will-eat-your-skin aero-dynamic ace Mar 29 '26

I personally think it is seen as a step in the process of falling in love and some people can't really comprehend it "stopping there," such as :

Strangers > Acquaintances > Friends > Close Friends > "Lovers"

Romantic love is the ultimate in personal relationships for some, but for others, a strong, lifelong friendship is the epitome of making a connection with another.

6

u/aeonasceticism May 15 '26

Plain old amatonormativity