The telly is great for entertainment, but when it comes to portraying love, relationships, and attraction, it tends to stretch reality to breaking point.
While it’s nice to get lost in the drama and romance, a lot of shows can give us some wildly unrealistic ideas about what relationships are actually like. These are some of the worst lies TV tells about love, relationships, and attraction that we’d all do well to stop believing.
1. Love at first sight always leads to happily ever after.
TV loves to romanticise the idea that locking eyes with someone across a crowded room means you’re destined to be together forever. In real life, relationships take time to grow, and mutual understanding is built over shared experiences—not just an initial spark. Sure, chemistry is important, but happily ever after requires way more than one dreamy glance.
2. Grand gestures solve everything.
From dramatic airport chases to public declarations of love, TV makes it seem like one big, sweeping gesture can erase months of neglect or bad behaviour. In reality, healthy relationships are built on consistent effort and communication, not last-minute stunts. Grand gestures might be memorable, but they’re no substitute for genuine change.
3. People always look perfect, no matter the situation.
On TV, couples wake up with perfect hair, flawless makeup, and no morning breath. In real life, love means embracing the messy, unglamorous parts of life—like bedhead, mismatched pyjamas, and awkward moments. Attraction is about more than appearances; it’s about accepting someone exactly as they are.
4. Conflict is dramatic and explosive.
Television thrives on drama, so relationship conflicts are often portrayed as loud arguments, door slamming, or someone storming off into the rain. In reality, many conflicts are quiet, nuanced, and require calm, constructive conversations. Healthy couples work through disagreements without turning their lives into a soap opera.
5. Opposites always attract.
TV loves pairing people who couldn’t be more different—a neat freak with a slob, or an introvert with an extrovert—and showing how their differences magically balance each other out. While opposites can sometimes complement each other, successful relationships often rely on shared values, interests, and communication styles, not just a “yin-yang” dynamic.
6. Cheating can be romantic.
Some TV shows romanticise affairs or make cheating seem like an exciting, justifiable choice. In reality, cheating causes pain, trust issues, and long-term damage to relationships. Real love isn’t about sneaking around or chasing forbidden thrills—it’s about loyalty, honesty, and mutual respect.
7. You’ll instantly know if someone’s “the one.”
On TV, characters often meet their soulmate and just *know* right away. In real life, relationships are more complex, and it takes time to understand if someone truly aligns with your values, goals, and needs. Love isn’t about magical certainty—it’s about growing together over time.
8. Relationships should be effortless.
Television relationships often make it seem like love should come naturally, with minimal effort required. In reality, even the strongest relationships require work—whether it’s learning to communicate better, compromising, or navigating life’s challenges together. Effort doesn’t make love less romantic; it makes it stronger.
9. Breakups are always dramatic and final.
On TV, breakups usually involve tears, shouting, and dramatic goodbyes. In real life, breakups can be messy, drawn out, or even mutual and amicable. Some relationships end with closure, while others linger in uncertainty. And sometimes, people even get back together—without the grand TV drama.
10. You can change someone if you love them enough.
One of TV’s most harmful lies is the idea that you can fix someone through the power of your love. In real life, people only change when they want to, not because someone else wills them to. Healthy relationships are about accepting each other as you are, not trying to mmouldsomeone into your ideal partner.
