He Was Either The Most Romantic Man In The World - Or A Complete Idiot

Heather had been dating Ben for a little over two months. She quite enjoyed his company but was beginning to realize he was not the man for her. She wasn't so much physically attracted to him as she was entertained by his offbeat sense of humor and his sense of the ridiculous. They'd had some great times together but she was contemplating giving him the "let's just be friends" speech.

On the night of her twenty-eighth birthday, Ben told her he had something special in store for her. Heather felt a twinge of discomfort but told herself she was overreacting. Ben tended to over-dramatize ordinary events, which was part of what made him fun. They enjoyed a fabulous dinner at a beautiful restaurant, then returned to Ben's place so he could present her with his gift.

Heather was amused to discover that Ben had set up a treasure hunt in his apartment. In each of the rooms he'd planted objects containing small folded notes. On each note he's written an obscure message which would lead her to the next clue. Ben pointed out the location of the first clue, then left her to discover the rest.

Heather's anxiety began to mount as she reached the sixth clue. She found it in Ben's walk-in closet, just after she stumbled across three long dart blowers hidden behind his clothes. She'd already noticed the gun cases under the bed. At that moment Ben called out from the living room, "As soon as you find it, I'll shoot us!" Her imagination went into overdrive.

Two minutes later she found the box. It was large and beautifully wrapped. Inside it was a smaller box, and inside that one a third. When she opened the fourth box she saw the diamond ring. Heather was stunned.

By now Ben was beside her. He looked at her face and decided she was overcome with gratitude. "You don't have to say anything now," he murmured. "Just nod if you want to marry me."

Heather calculated her chances. Did he have any poison darts handy? Could she reach the front door before he opened a gun case? No, she decided. She'd have to tough it out.

"What on earth possessed you to buy this for me?" she demanded.

Ben hesitated but quickly recovered. "It doesn't have to be an engagement ring," he backpedaled. "Just accept it as a birthday gift. You can always change your mind later."

"But I can't accept something like this," Heather explained. "I can't stand wearing jewelry."

Ben was so caught up in his fantasy that he hadn't noticed the blatantly obvious. On both counts.

Heather was relieved to discover that the only shooting Ben intended that night was with his camera. But the celebratory mood was over and she left shortly afterwards, minus the ring. She didn't go out with Ben again.

Have you ever miscalculated with a gift? Perhaps not as blatantly as Ben did but there may have been times when you gave the wrong thing to the right person or the right thing to the wrong person. And then wondered why they didn't seem particularly grateful.

Gift giving involves thought and a certain amount of premeditation. If you don't know what to buy, ask. It doesn't have to be the person himself (or herself); you can ask their father, mother, sister or best friend. Just make sure it's someone who knows them well and can tell you what they would like. And don't count on someone's response on a previous occasion. Many people won't tell you if they don't appreciate a gift in an effort to spare your feelings.

Putting thought into your gift selection is usually worth the effort. And perhaps the best thing about receiving a gift you love is the feeling that the other person knows you so well that they knew exactly what to choose.

© Marguerite Bonneville

Marguerite Bonneville is a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) whose passion is publishing information online. She is a contributing writer at http://www.romantic-gift-ideas-online.com, a resource site dedicated to helping visitors find the perfect romantic gift.

---

The Cyber Lothario

Are you writing to someone who is romancing you off... Read More

What Appeals To Women About Badboys

What is it about the attraction of Bad Boys?A lot... Read More

What Do You Do on Valentines Day When You Have 1000 Girlfriends!

Valentine's Day was initially an outgrowth of an ancient Roman... Read More

Online Dating Tips for the Digital Age of Romance

We are romantic creatures. We are social creatures. With these... Read More

Defining a Relationship

How does one know when a relationship is really a... Read More

10 Tips for Seniors Dating Online

We would like to take a few minutes of your... Read More

Internet Dating - Introduction

So you're single. And you don't want to be single... Read More

Use The Fated Encounter For First Date Seduction Success

Every woman has a fantasy from the time she was... Read More

Online Dating - Confidence Builder

Most of us have different levels of confidence. I'm sure... Read More

Online Dating Beginners Quiz

Free dating online-you've heard about it, you've read about it,... Read More

Dating Sites Are Bringing Millions Of Singles Together For Quality Online Relationships

It's amazing how dating sites are helping over a million... Read More

Online Dating

The online dating world today can be a confusing place... Read More

Dating Dilemma: The Man Who Said Hed Call and Didnt

You went out with the guy. You both had a... Read More

Dating Service Tools for Individuals Seeking Singles Online for Fun, Friendship and Marriage

If you're wondering what it means by dating service and... Read More

Do It And They Will Come: Pursuing New Adventures To Find Mr / Ms Right

Are you tired of the whole dating scene? Have you... Read More

Mom Says

So, you're a member of every suitable on-line dating site,... Read More

5 Quick Ways to Find Your Next Date

Overwhelmed with family, school, work and volunteer obligations, woman are... Read More

Dating Personals! Incredibly Successful, But How Does It Work?

Dating personals offer online dating singles a quick and easy... Read More

Use This Rule To Survive A Loss

The intent of this article was to ease any trauma... Read More

Meeting Other Singles By Doing Something You Love

Meet Other Singles by Doing Something You LoveHere's one the... Read More

Dos and Donts for Men on Dating Sites

Men, learn how to behave on dating and personals sites.Being... Read More

Dating Tool: Confidence 101

I'm over it. "There's plenty of fish in the sea,"... Read More

How to Finally Approach the Women You Lust for

We've all been there. You have been meeting her accidentally... Read More

How To Find a Great Dating Partner and Have Fun Looking

Internet dating can be great fun for you. It is... Read More

Safe Cyber Dating

Cyber dating is one of the most popular dating venues... Read More

Seduction Secrets For Men - How To Make Your Dates Effective And Unforgettable

You are on the first date with a girl you... Read More

Things To Avoid At Your First Date

Finally, after a year of mending a broken heart, you... Read More

Dear Soulmate

Dear Soulmate,Where are you?? It seems as if I have... Read More

The Final Solution to Dating

I run a blog where I discuss the topic of... Read More

Top 10 reasons to Find a Date Online

I'm often surprised by the number of people who are... Read More

Bachelor Dream

Step aside Hugh Hefner. Elvis King is back in the... Read More

Dumb Dating Mistakes Men Make with Women

Do you strike out with single women in the romance... Read More

A Dating Story From My Youth

One of my first "Big Dates" was a Cotillion dance... Read More