Gas station flowers🤷‍♀️

So I'm dating this new guy for awhile now and he brings me flowers, they're a little "not fresh" but I was still thankful as I was cooking a big meal for us, however when I asked about it he was like, "oh yh these I picked them up at the gas station" part of me is like gas station flowers really? You couldn't pop into M&S and grab me something prettier and fresher but also part of me is like it's the thought that counts but then part of me is like, one of my married friends, the girls I follow on Instagram, don't get gas station flowers, then another part is like girl stop thinking too much, so would you accept gas station flowers, or is it selling yourself cheap?
Can you really be cheap in a relationship, if the guys still dating you?
Should you set higher standards or settle for what you get?

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Ryannnnnn · 31-35, M

I mean he was thoughtful enough to get you flowers..
Focusing on the price of gifts and judging the relationship you have based on that isn't the priority, it's whether they show you that they care. Forget instagram, they only post the biggest moments and edit things to be perfect, real life is different. Maybe another day he gets you flowers from M&S, is the gesture any different?.

Like I think the idea of settling itself is indicitive of priorities being out of balance, it's a bit of a toxic concept in itself, as it leads people to never being satisfied and also places too much judgement on the people you're dating, its also demeaning for the other person like we're valuating people down to not checking off the boxes on our wish lists.

I'm not judging you btw, but I'm saying that you'll probably have a healthier mindset and be happier if you just focus on gestures and what really matters, which is whether they care about you and show that. I blame Western notions of romance which are in fact just Western, placing value on gifts and lofty ideals, sure we'll all have those moments but our expectations are far too high a lot of the time. It's hyperreality.