Relationship tips from meet-cute couples

‘MEET cute” is a term popularized by the film industry, which depicts a scene when two people meet under unusual or witty circumstances and form a romantic bond as the film unfolds.

One of the social media accounts I am currently obsessed with is “Meet Cutes NYC,” which I follow on Instagram. (It’s also on Facebook and Tiktok.) The account, with 860,000 followers, has a videographer asking any two people who appear to be in a relationship, and walking along the city’s streets, “Excuse me, are you two a couple?”

And in typical New York fashion, some appear initially offended having some stranger accost them while they’re minding their own business. A few are mistaken couples: “No,” the lady responds, “he’s my brother!” Ouch. But most are actual couples, pleasantly surprised to be asked the question, and they proceed to respond to the videographer’s questions.

The episodes are fascinating because the videographer isn’t particular with who he interviews. The couples come from all walks of life, across all income statuses; there are gay and heterosexual couples; they cut across all religious beliefs, races and cultures; a few are just at the start of their romance and still giddy, with stars-in their eyes. There are also middle-aged partners rediscovering each other right after becoming empty empty-nesters, and then there are seemingly satisfied seniors who have just seen everything, and lived through the best and the worst of their coupling.

“We met at a discotheque 40 years ago,” says Edward about meeting his wife Susan. “I saw a beautiful woman across the dance floor. I walked up to her and told her, ‘You’re more beautiful up close than at a distance.’”

Then there are uncoventional meet cutes, like Kaylee going to a concert by herself, then she started chatting up Ashton who was beside her. There’s also Bruce meeting Linda at her garage sale, but not liking the couch she was selling him. Or Justine meeting Eric on the subway (“He had a tattoo of Bob Marley on his arm,” which made Eric interesting because he is Caucasian and Justine is Black.) Christian and Lala met when they were still with their partners who ended up being their ex-es. Syre, meanwhile, was laid up in the hospital waiting for her surgery—and Aaron was her nurse.

The most popular episode has got to be the one featuring singer Ed Sheeran. The videographer heard this couple were huge fans of the singer and danced their first dance at their wedding to “Put It All on Me.” After a slew of questions on how they met and so forth, the videographer and his assistant then walked the couple just down the sidewalk to a place where they were to sign a waiver. After a few more questions, Sheeran walks into the scene, much to the delight of the couple. Sheeran’s advice to the newlyweds who are pregnant, “No one gets it right,” as he references his own child-rearing with his spouse.

My favorite couples are those who have been

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS

DAY: Alisha Wainwright, 34; Scott Porter, 44; Matthew Fox, 57; Jane Lynch, 63.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Remember what’s important to you this year. Letting outside influences infiltrate your world will set you back. Wanting to help others is admirable but not in your best interest. Put your needs first, and you’ll be in a better frame of mind when helping others. Change begins with you. A steady pace will take you where you want to go. Your numbers are 6, 13, 22, 29, 32, 37, 40.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Social events will lead to an introduction you won’t want to miss. The connections you make will give you hope for a better future. Don’t hesitate to offer your services to someone you’d like to work alongside. Romance is in the stars. ★★★★

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Be a good listener, and you’ll be privy to information that can help you bypass someone who gives you a hard time. Be willing to put your energy where it counts instead of counting on someone else to do things for you. ★★★

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Give your all, but don’t trust others to do the same. Take responsibility and do it yourself, and you won’t be disappointed. Back away from anyone trying to manipulate how you do things. Say what’s on your mind and move forward. ★★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Being methodical will help you gain leverage. Pay attention to detail, be diligent and present your offer with strength and courage. The influence you have on others must come from the goodness of your heart.

★★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Simplify your life. Sidestep controversial situations. Overreacting and hasty decisions will hold you back. Use your intelligence and experience to navigate your way forward. Progress depends on you and what you are willing to contribute. Offer peace and love, and avoid discord. ★★★★

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Pressure will mount if you don’t have a plan. A positive attitude will help you manage the possibilities and encourage forward motion. Don’t share your intentions with anyone who is emotionally unstable. Have a plan and work alone. ★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Listen, evaluate and hone your skills to fit your subsequent pursuit. Give others space, and you will buy yourself time and opportunity to flesh out what’s important to you. Control your spending, and avoid getting involved in joint ventures. ★★★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Question everything and figure out how to move forward using the information you receive. You can create opportunities if you are innovative and willing to put your reputation on the line. ★★★ together for the long haul, married for more than 15 years or more, and still holding hands while walking. These older couples are often the most animated in sharing how they first met, what was their first impression of the other, or what they did on their first date, what was their favorite thing about each other, and what they can advise new couples. A few are also asked what makes them excited for the future, which prompts unusual and sometimes hilarious responses.

Asked the secret of their togetherness, the most common answer is, number one, having a sense of humor and not taking oneself too seriously. To the question about how they met, Kenny answered, “Her Mom was selling her for $5,” making his wife, Kim, burst out in hysterical laughter, after which he hugs her. Awww.

The second is “kindness” and always putting the needs of the partner before one’s own. The love and respect of these older couples for each other often jump across the screen, so evident in the tightly-held hands or a light touch on the arm, along with the knowing smiles, and the twinkle in their eyes.

Glen, who has been with Yana for 41 years, also underscored that relationships are formed and continue because of, number three, having that unexplicable bond with one’s partner. “It’s the connection; either you got it our you ain’t got it. If you ain’t got it, nothing you do will help,” he said.

Meet Cutes NYC is one of the few uplifting and joyous social media accounts that people ought to follow. It can make anyone hopeful for one’s relationship. It encourages people to dive into the unknown with another individual, to take a chance in love, but armed with practical knowledge from the ages. One of the best advice for couples just starting out on their adventure comes from Dario and Michael, who have been together for 18 years after hooking up at a gay bar. “Listen, and ride out those rough patches... they’re just patches.” ■■■

PEOPLE who live and work in Quezon City now have a quaint food hub in UP Diliman that offers a wide array of dishes from a good selection of quality purveyors.

I dropped by Gyud Food Market recently upon invitation of a friend, Spanky Enriquez, who has been helping out the new food hub’s owner, Joe Magsaysay, aka Mr. Potato Corner. I told Magsaysay how everyone

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Open your eyes when dealing with manipulative people. An emotional incident will leave you at odds about what to do next. Respond to what others want, and protect yourself from hidden costs and poor investments. ★★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The early bird catches the worm. You’ll be ready to take on the competition if you keep up with what’s trending. A moneymaking opportunity will help you lower debt. Don’t fear making a change or taking the road less traveled. ★★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t believe everything you hear. A change someone makes will be a sign of their intentions. Stick close to home and nurture meaningful relationships. An affectionate gesture will enhance your love life and encourage unification. ★★★★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Retreat from anyone causing emotional uncertainty. Give yourself a chance to look at every angle of a situation before agreeing to something that has underlying implications that don’t fit your agenda. A creative outlet will ease stress and give you time to think.

BIRTHDAY BABY:

You are expressive, generous and passionate. You are resourceful and creative.