Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

Hi guys…I really need your help on this situation with my husband…

I had an arranged marriage, basically 6 months of everything and then got married…I never had a boyfriend in the past, and like every girl dreamed about flowers/candy little things that make girls smile. Once we got married, he didn’t do nothing of that sort. In the beginning we were getting to know each other since it was arranged, and we never really met up frequently since we lived in different states. I was so excited that my husband will be romantic and do little things to make me fall in love with him so much. My birthday was 2 weeks after we got married and he still didn’t do anything on my birthday. In the beginning of a marriage, I was really looking forward to these things…nothing big like expensive things but little things that contribute to romance. I didn’t really talk to him about it, because it was in the beginning of our marriage and I was shy and didn’t want to “make” him do things for me, I just accepted that he isn’t much of a romantic person.

A year later, I still daydream about my husband doing all these things for me, leaving me notes, writing me poems, “good morning” texts something that makes me think about him, but it’s still the same. My husband is a really nice guy and loves me a lot, and I know that that should be all that matters, but somewhere inside me I feel that I “need” those things as well as a girl. I love my husband, but I feel something is lacking in our relationship regarding my deep happiness for him.

I then talked to my husband about it, and told him that he needs to do these things for me, and that he should have done it early in the marriage, but still can do it for me. I’m a hopeless romantic and want these things as well…Why can’t you remember something I like and bring it home from work…bring me flowers…leave me cute notes…call me to say you miss me from work? He said he will try to work on it…Its been 3 years and he’s still the same…he is still the same “unromantic” person as he was. I give him hints about stuff I like plain as day, tell him what romantic things I like in an effort that he will do it. I fight with him sometimes over petty things and I feel that Its frustration over the “lacking” in this department… I even fight with him to let him know just how much this “lackingness” is affecting me. He just simply answers by saying “this is how i am.”

My frustration comes to the fact that I’m not telling him to go out and buy things for me, little things you do for your girl are what makes girls fall in love with a guy. We don’t even have long conversations on the phone its basic talk and hang up…I try to make an effort to be funny/cute/romantic but he doesn’t reciprocate. He’s just a serious guy. He doesn’t ever call me any nicknames either, he doesn’t hold my hand in public. I’ve done countless romantic things for him in the past, to show him how beautiful it can be, he enjoys it and appreciates it, however he hasn’t reciprocated for me and it has eventually died down on my part…

He’s only 30 years old..its not like he’s a buddha that he can’t “change” now. I don’t get it. I’m not telling him to change his personality, just do little things for me because I will “like” them. Why is it sooo hard? why can’t he make effort to put a smile on my face? People change for their spouse if they don’t like one aspect of their personality. Why doesn’t he care?

It has affected me to a point where I daydream about leaving this relationship and starting over with another guy so I can go through that “romance” part with someone else…or meeting someone else and fulfilling my “romance” desire…its so wrong i know!

Sometimes I feel like I’m focusing on superficial things, I should just focus on the fact that he loves me right? However I like every girl have romantic wishes and need those from my spouse. Its honestly really affecting my life…I really don’t know…Please Let me know what else to do? Soo frustrated!

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

How old are you? I had a love marriage but my husband doesn't do any of the stuff you have mentioned in your post. On my birthday, we went out, had dinner, and he asked me to buy something I would like to buy.

Don't let Bollywood and Hollywood mislead you.

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

I'm 27.

Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

You've already answered your own question...you know your husband is not the "romantic" type and it's not in his nature. Don't of resent him and let ulta-seedha thoughts enter your head and affect your marriage. Like Lusi very aptly said, rid your mind of Bollywood/Hollywood and learn to appreciate what he DOES do for you

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

Men despite loving their wives don't need to do these acts.

And women also do not need to do similar acts.

All they need is to behave with each other in loving, respectful, caring, AND sincere way...........everyday and every minute or hour of the day.

What have you done for him lately? That should be the question you should ask yourself.

If he's not romantic...he's not romantic. Nagging him about it will only make him feel awkward and you bitter. Look at things a different way - despite what Hollywood and Bollywood lead us to believe... romance isn't just flowers and candy...maybe he shows romance in other ways.

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

No offence but it seems like you have too much free time on your hands to be making such a big deal about this. You SERIOUSLY contemplate leaving your HUSBAND and starting over with a new guy because your husband doesn't buy you flowers etc? I'm sorry but I just can't understand this....I love my husband so much and he is naturally a romantic and big on these types of gestures but even if he wasn't I could never even let such a thought cross my mind, it's wrong. You say yourself that your husband loves you and you are aware of this and his personality so why can't you let it be? If he hasn't changed in 3 years, despite your hints, he won't change now. You have made it clear what you want and he hasn't done it because it doesn't seem to be his personality so WHY are you letting yourself get so upset over it? Focus on the positives. I have friends and cousins whose husband's are the same- not big on these type of gestures and then others who are but each girl accepts the way her husband is and if you love him that's what you need to do too.

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

I think you misunderstood me. The issue is not that he doesn't buy me flowers it's that he doesn't make any effort whatsoever to listen to what is my needs. I know he's not romantic but He can even try a little effort. It hurts me that he doesn't try even anything little. just anything to show that he did something to put a smile on my face, and that my tiny little desires matter to Him.

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

I actually agree with OP here. This is called withholding affection! My husband is the same and it's been 14 years and I feel I will go insane sometimes!!! I can guarantee if it was a girl posting saying that she us to romantic but her husband wants more romance people would be all over her saying that why can't she make an effort to maker her husband happy.

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

Someone where I agree with the OP (at least from what I know from her side of the story) but a sweet gesture here and there goes a long way. No one is saying he has to go the bollywood/hollywood way just every once in a while do something that she wants especially when she has given hints. If the OP is doing her part and fulfilling his needs then he should too.

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

I agree that it would be nice if OP's husband did show a sweet gesture once in awhile, however, if he isn't (and she has repeatedly told him what she likes/wants) then I think it is more of a she has to accept that that's the way he is and not get upset over it. She should instead focus on the fact that he DOES love her etc.

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

Reading the post feels like OP expects romance bcos she's romantic - I don't think that's right. Romance isn't something like respect/attention/love/care. It's not the substance of a marriage...it's the fluff, I hope that makes sense. Not everyone needs romance, but everyone does need respect/love in a relationship...you know? If she knows her husband isn't romantic, doesn't provide the 'fluff' then why further irritate yourself and potentially ruin your relationship (she's daydreaming of starting over with someone new) just bcos you want a flower?

If she knew her husband didn't love her, or if he was cruel, didn't respect her...those are serious issues and I can understand wanting out of that. But over romance? And again, romance isn't flowers and candy and hand-holding. My husband thinks it's romantic when I bake him dessert or when he gets me stuff from my fave sushi place unexpectedly lol...appreciate the other good things he does.

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

Looks like he is having an affair. This is typical guy is probably burned out. Say no to arrange marriage and lay off bollywood.

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

He is not going to change. You can accept the reality, or leave him. Upto you.

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

You say u know he loves you but how do you know?? Make a list of the things he does to make you think he loves you and see if that list is longer than what he doesn't do for you. If the list is not very long then sorry mate but he doesn't love you. Just cus he goes out to work and gives you money to survive on does not mean he loves you. Also to those that are telling you to stop expecting Bollywood don't understand cus they not in your situation. Actions speak louder than words in a relationship and you said you are no expecting all that much so what's his problem in doing something small just to make u happy once in a blue moon even, I say. Like I said make a list of good and bad and if good outweigh the bad then you gotta eat your words and just learn to be happy with the way he is. Good luck to ya. x

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

You can't force someone to be romantic plus I don't think anyone is unromantic. Everyone just have their own style of romance. You wrote you do love your husband - hence I think he must be doing something right for you to fall in love with him, why don't you see those things as "romance"? It's the small things that complete the bigger picture. Personally for me, I don't think romance is flowers - they die the next day anyway why waste money on that, chocolates - I can agree with :D. But the real romance is his small gestures ie if I enter a room full of family and friends and there's no seat for me, he'll get up and offer me his - that for me is romance. The respect and love that shows in such little things is far more important than flowers and chocolates (nah who am I kidding?! chocolate win any day :D).

Ps. a friendly advice, nagging never helps. Stop it.

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

Is he romantic to other khawateen?

Nagging wont help some men just dont show their emotions. You know he loves you what more can you ask for, does he give u nothing at all on ur bday? Anniversary? If he doesnt hold your hand whats stopping u from holding his lol dont dwell on it too much the fact you are having thoughts about leaving and starting over shows its more of a big deal then ur making it put to be. Just enjoy your relationship and marriage why spoil it for the sake of superficial things.

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

a guy buying chocolates, bringing flowers, writing notes to his wife could also be doing these things to hide an extra marital affair from her

Re: Why Doesn't My Husband Make Efforts to be Romantic??

I dunno I just think if he truly loved her he would do something even just once in a few moths and just something small even if it was on her say so. Why is he finding it sooooo damn difficult to do what she is asking? unless he has a major problem like he doesn't actually care for her???