It's hard to deny: Sometimes, reality TV includes some very important life lessons. For example, you can learn a lot of dating advice from The Bachelorette quotes. That's right — despite the fact that it's a television show, when you look past the circumstances, it's actually a pretty informative series.
While it's true that the producers do orchestrate events, they don't have control over what the contestants say or how feelings develop on the season. That's why when you look at The Bachelorette quotes over the years, you can see that they come from a place of sincerity. Contestants often give great advice, maybe even without noticing it.
Since 2003, there have been 10 Bachelorettes, each with their own unique take on finding love. There was Trista Sutter, who found poetry to be the ultimate expression of feelings, Ashley Hebert who was determined to stay true to herself, Andi Dorfman who insisted on not sacrificing her strength throughout the process, and more. With such different women leading the show, the seasons have given us a lot of helpful dating advice on a range of subjects with a variety of perspectives.
So, yes, The Bachelorette can give you some great dating tips, and you should probably take them seriously.
"I couldn't see that the one thing I always needed was right in front of me."
Desiree Hartsock was so blinded by her (unrequited) love for Brooks that she missed how she and Chris Siegfried were actually soul mates. Her mistake is one to learn from because when you're in the middle of a relationship, it's important to take a moment every once in a while to evaluate how you feel. Are you still 100 percent invested? Are they? What do you really want from this? Asking the important questions can save you from missing what's right under your nose.
"Your BS detector needs to be out."
This was Ali Fedotowsky's advice to new Bachelorette Desiree Hartsock during the Men Tell All, but it's also great advice for everybody. While I don't think you should be constantly suspicious of the people you're seeing, I think it's important to be careful.
"Good things don’t end unless they end badly.”
These were Ben Flajnik's parting words when he was booted from The Bachelorette. If a relationship ends it's easy to romanticize it and remember only the glory days. But in reality, if it were meant to be, it would have happened.
"You don't [know if you'll get hurt.] You take a leap of faith. But time heals all, and you move on and things get put into perspective."
JP Rosenbaum said this to Ashley Hebert during her season when she was saying she was worried about getting hurt. It's really good advice because it's a reminder that you never know how a situation is going to turn out. You could get hurt, yes — or you could end up with the partner of your dreams. But you can't let that fear of getting hurt stop you from trying, because even if it goes badly you will get through it.
“It’s your life and your heart, and only you know what’s best for you.”
Here we have Bachelorette Jen Schefft reminding us that no one can make decisions for you. At the end of the day you have to trust your own instincts because this is your life.
"Get the f*** out."
Bachelorette Emily Maynard knows that sometimes it's necessary to just tell someone to leave, and you don't always have to do it nicely.
"Every time I think I'm going to get one, I don't."
A roseless Arie Luyendyk Jr. learned the hard way that expectations breed disappointment. I tend to feel like this advice is especially relevant when it comes to holidays and anniversaries. If you think your significant other is going to get you this great gift and they don't, it's going to make you sad. Instead focus on enjoying the ride, rather than the reward.
"I realize that I'd be at least 30 percent more attractive with a British accent."
We all would. Don't stress too much about it, though.
"I don't think it's fair to make you sit here for days and wait for a rose ceremony."
When Andi Dorfman sent Chris Soules home she did so because she realized it was wrong to keep him around when she knew he wasn't for her. This goes for regular relationships, too. The worst thing you can do to someone is give them hope when they don't have a chance. Let them down gently when you first realize you're not into it anymore. Don't drag it out because you're too afraid to break up.
"Why are you questioning your feelings? At some point that's what this is all about, and it's all you have to go on."
When Chris Soules was on Andi's season he was much better at stringing words together. This advice is important for everyone to heed. If you feel a certain way, there comes a time when you have to stop second-guessing and just act.
"Sometimes you just need your girls, some wine, and the entire Taylor Swift album.”
This break-up advice from former Bachelorette Andi Dorfman is seriously the best.
"As long as you remember where you came from, there’s no limit to where you can go."
Just Ali Fedotowsky casually dropping truth bombs, y'all.
"It's the little things that matter most—always."
Bachelorette contestant JP Rosenbaum really had a handle on what was important. Here he was telling the camera that his casual dinner date with Ashley was great because it shouldn't matter what you're doing if you like the person you're with. See? You don't have to eat at the top of a bridge while fireworks go off to have a happy relationship!
"It’s the best when the ordinary is extraordinary. There’s this Italian renaissance way of being romantic: they call it ‘sprezzatura’. Which is where you try to be as romantic as possible — but through your ordinary life. There’s so much more magic in the ordinary. Life isn’t all, like, fireworks. Romantic things come from inside you.”
Bachelorette contestant Ames Brown hit the nail on the head with this one, and it echoes Rosenbaum's statement too. Even though The Bachelorette is all glitz and glamour, the most important connections in life are made in the small, ordinary moments. You may not have a Bachelorette-worthy romance in your life, but that doesn't mean your relationships aren't special in their own way.
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