Who said romance was dead ?

FORGET flowers and chuck out the chocolates, UK men are officially the most unromantic in the world. According to a new study, Brits are less likely to make romantic gestures than other nationalities, and when they do, they get it all wrong.

While men think sexy lingerie and expensive gifts are a way to woman’s heart, it is the smaller gestures that win her over.

Reporter BEATRIZ AYALA visited the Spindles Shopping Centre to find out if Oldhamers agreed with the findings.

Maureen Woodhead (69), from Chadderton, said: “I’ve been married to Peter for two years and he still keeps romance alive.

“He comes home with gifts and jewellery. The more money a man has, the better. They have to come with a wallet.”

John Miller (67), from Holts Village, said the smaller gestures in life were more important. He added: “I’ve been married for 43 years and I can be romantic. I take a cup of tea to my wife Carol every morning.

“But she doesn’t like travelling abroad so while I’ve been to Egypt four times on my own, she looks after the house.

“She does appreciate the small gestures, they mean a lot more.”

Sarah Edwards (40), from Chadderton, said she would like a little bit more romance in her life.

She added: “I agree with the whole survey. I’ve been married to Brian for 22 years and he’s never been romantic, not even when we first got together.

“I might get the occasional bunch of flowers, but he proposed by saying ‘I think we should get married’ without even getting down on one knee.

“I’d like more romantic gestures such as compliments — I’m not materialistic.”

Her son Joe Edwards (16) said: “I’m not romantic, I don’t even think about it. I might put a bit more effort into it if I met someone special.”

Danny Harris (19), from Coldhurst, said he knows how to make someone feel appreciated.

He added: “If I’m just mates with a girl, I’m not romantic but with someone special I am.

“I buy flowers, cook a nice meal, make them feel relaxed and appreciated on their birthday.

“It’s about being a bit more thoughtful.”

His friend Danielle Brown (24), from Fitton Hill, said men in Oldham needed to learn how to be more romantic.

She said: “Oldham men are the worst! I like flowers and chocolates, nice underwear, bubble baths — the lot.”

Ron Usher (43) and his wife Adele, from Oldham, disagreed with the survey and said things were different in their home.

Ron said: “I recently took Adele away to Chester for the weekend and I washed the pots.

“It is important to make the effort, life is too short not to.

“But the survey rings true among my friends, I don’t think they have ever written love poems.”

Adele said: “I’m happy with expensive gifts but I’d swap them for small gestures. A mixture of both is good.”

April Gannon (17), from Austerlands, was lucky enough to have a romantic boyfriend.

She said: “My boyfriend Josh wrote a romantic poem for me and he does do romantic things.

“It should really work both ways, although I should be more romantic.”

Mirza Baig (28), from Chadderton, said romance created a better relationship.

He said: “I married my wife Ismat Shanaz last October and I do lots of romantic things such as sit with her and chat and go shopping. It’s important to be romantic.”