Why we don't fall in love like the movies

What makes movies so good? What makes you believe and feel every emotion played on screen? The (few) great actors and heavy editing of course are all important elements, but we don't have fantasies like that in real life, thats why we all escape into those 90 minutes. It's not impossible to have a romantic story, it's just that we don't ALLOW ourselves to have these romantic stories. When was the last time you met someone and fell in love at first sight? And I don't mean the physical attraction between two people but actually fell in love with them? Never. You know why? Let me break it down.


In the movies boy meets girl and then like clockwork, some romantic cliche scenario is played out and boom! The stars align, sparks fly and they live happily every after. Cute right? It could happen right? Sure it can, but lets take a closer look at these "romantic scenarios".


Scenario 1:
On the tram/bus/train, you catch each others eyes and then... hallelujah! The rest is history...


Problem:
When was the last time you took a train and didn't immediately pop in your headphones and block out the world? And it's not just the headphones, what do most people do next? They shoot straight 100 kph to good ol' Facebook/Twitter. The real fact is that nowadays people would rather socialize in the cyber world then socialize in the real world. Mind you, most of the time people aren't even socializing with friends on Facebook people, they are just scrolling through their news feed like lifeless drones just to keep busy. People are just so anti-social they NEED to look like their doing something ALL THE TIME. Could you imagine what it would be like if the next time you stepped onto a train everyone was talking to each other? Like a big reunion, people would laugh and tell stories.Wouldn't that be nice? Wouldn't that kick off your start in the happiest possible way? This could happen, why can't it? I mean, I have no trouble having a long conversation with someone on the train, granted that they have basic hygiene standards and maybe something mildly interesting to talk about? I mean, how many opportunities do you really get a day, to meet someone new? 


So let's reevaluate the scenario. There you are, headphones in, head down scrolling away on your stupid iPhone, blackberry, blueberry whatever piece of metal junk you have, and there's a cute boy sitting across from you thinking 'she's cute' but how is he suppose to 'catch your eye' if yours are glued to your screen? How is he meant to find the interest to walk up to you and say hi if you look like you find a block of shiny metal so fascinating?


Scenario 2:
At the park, she/he is reading the same book as you. This must be fate, marry me now.


Problem:
Okay, so who here goes to parks nowadays?? Show of hands?? Oh, and who reads books? Anyone? Okay so I'm generalizing a little bit, people do read books, but most of them do it on ebooks or they squint to read a book on their stupid iPhone's. This means no book covers, how am I suppose to even notice we're reading the same book and that we are destined to be lovers? How can I notice your intellectual side when you look just like another douchebag with his eyes glued to his phone?
And as for parks, sure, you might go for a run (with your best friend iPod), or you might walk your dog or cat or turtle but when was the last time you sat on a park bench? And I don't mean, waiting for a friend so you can go grab a large sugar dosed latte at Starbucks, I meant, you walked to a park to enjoy the sunlight and all of natures beauty and intended to do nothing but that? Probably once, some time in July, 4 years ago. In a dream.


People watch movies and wonder, why can't my life be like that? Why can't I fall in love like the movies? Stop being stupid. Romantic 'I fell in love when I first met you' scenes are rare and your chances are slimmer than winning the lottery, so stop dreaming about these unrealistic fantasies and live your own fairy tale. Open your eyes to all the opportunities to meet someone new, and when I say someone new, I meant ANYBODY. Maybe next time you sat next  to 60 year old Margaret on the bus, ask her how her day was going, and while you're at it, why not help her carry her groceries off the bus? Who knows? Maybe her cute son is waiting to pick her up and falls in love with you cause you're such a total sweetheart? Make your own romantic scenarios, all you need to do is find a little courage and take the opportunities before you.