I n this day and age when most women believe that chivalry is dead, men who are loud and proud about romance and emotions may seem like a godsend to most women. We are so impressed by the massive bunch of roses that we are blinded to the truth: which is that they’re not in love with you. They’re in love with the idea of romance and having a girlfriend. They’re in love with the “ooohs” and “aaaaahs” they get upon relating their latest romantic gesture to other girls. In other words, they’re nothing more than show ponies.
So how do you tell if your boyfriend is the genuine deal or simply another show pony? Well I’ve hung out with enough show ponies to be able to identify them. Read on for some tips!
1. He always needs “second opinions”
Perhaps this is something you wouldn’t know unless you’re told about it. Basically, it can be expected just about every time he does something nice for you: get you a birthday present, plan you a surprise party, whatever. It is normal, of course, for your boyfriend to ask your best friend’s opinion on what she thinks you may like. It is not normal for him to ask every single person in his life including his best friend’s little sister who knows nothing about you! The point of all this “consulting” isn’t to help him make a decision, it’s to show off to others how much effort he’s putting in.
2. He does things “for you”
Another way to tell if your guy is a show pony is to observe the things he does for you. Say he plans you a surprise party. Do you notice that the friends of yours that he doesn’t like appear to be excluded from the guest list? This is your birthday, you should have the people around you, it should be about you! But the show pony always, always makes it about him.
3. He spams your wall with rubbish
Of course real life Public Displays of Affection isn’t enough to satisfy a show pony. The show ponies of this world have now moved onto our social networking sites! He will spam your wall with complete rubbish like “You must be missing me!”- to show off how much you love him, and “Had fun with your family, I love them!”- to show off how supposedly close he is to your family. It is normal for couples to leave each other a sweet wall post every once in awhile, so how do you tell when it’s bordering on show pony behavior? Check your wall. Is the majority of the messages from him? Yeah? Well bummer for you.
4. He parades you around like a man purse
Up to this point, I’m sure you already understand the concept of a show pony. So perhaps you will be more observant the next time he introduces you to someone. A show pony I know went as far as to introduce his girlfriend by saying loudly “This is my GIRLFRIEND (yes, with emphasis), isn’t she attractive?” If YOU find your girlfriend attractive and don’t need anyone’s approval, why would such a question be necessary? Show ponies also insist on dragging you to all sorts of intimate family functions which you’re not even welcomed to just to thrust you in his family member’s faces.
5. He is generally an attention seeker
Show ponies don’t behave that way to you in particular. Chances are, if a guy is a show pony, he’s a show off in many other ways too. Does he try too hard to attract attention? Does he make a lot of loud, stupid comments in classes? Does he enjoy revving the engine of his unimpressive car in front of large crowds? Having a girlfriend isn’t the only time a show pony shows off, it’s simply another REASON to show off.
You may think it’s not harmful having a show pony boyfriend, but believe me, in the long run you would begin resenting the fact that he loves you not for who you are, but simply because you’re his girlfriend. You’ll also notice that you’re starting to lose your friends because a show pony likes making you feel like he’s your “savior” and the only one who’s there for you. So be careful, you may lose yourself and turn into nothing more than an arm candy.
Pictures credited to: www.lockyep.blogspot.com, www.allurearlington.com, www.sodahead.com
so true…