Is Rarity looking for love in all the wrong places?

[ghostfacekiller39 23,879]

Wrong on both statements. Just because we're discussing Rarity doesn't mean the principle I described can't also be applied to Pinkie Pie's negative personality traits, Spike's negative personality traits, or the personality traits of real humans. Just say "Yes". It's alot easier.

The topic at hand is Rarity. The topic we are discussing was Rarity. You're failing to provide a response to what I said to you earlier, and until you do so, your argument will hold no water with me. All apologies.

 

 

 

Todays society seems to see femininity as weak and wrong. But being feminine has nothing to do with that, one can be feminine and a very stong and capable person. Does not matter if you are a feminine woman or man. There is nothing wrong with being girly.

Rarity does a very good job at showing that, i feel.

 

And for the popularity polls... well, she does have the largest fan club on here by a mile.

Just thought I'd fix that

 

 

 

 

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

Is it really surprising, considering the state of gender roles and stereotyping in todays world, that a popularity poll voted in by a male majority would favour a shy, docile, submissive pony? Because I'm not surprised by it.

 

And before anyone brings up Rainbow Dash, everyone likes her because her personality pegs her as 'one of the boys'. Rarity is an ultra-fiminine, very assertive pony, and so she struggles in the popularity polls.

 

She doesn't need to, and shouldn't, deliberately change anything about herself.

 

I don't know if that has anything to do with the fact that she's female, honestly. I think that it's more that she's an adorable animal (I'm talking about appearance not sapience), and like it or not her shy, docile, and submissive nature compliments that to a tee.

[Pastel 7,630]

Well, it hasn't happened in the show but just look at any Mane Six popularity poll. Fluttershy is always either 2nd or 1st.

If you're talking about the "Best Pony" poll, it's an old one, opinions have changed ever since.

[hawkflame 3,315]

I don't know if that has anything to do with the fact that she's female, honestly. I think that it's more that she's an adorable animal (I'm talking about appearance not sapience), and like it or not her shy, docile, and submissive nature compliments that to a tee.

You really think guys would be as fawning over her if she was male?

[Forlong 1,726]

One problem I see with Rarity is that, whoever she ends up with, he's going to be on the receiving end of alot of nagging, along the lines of "this harness is too tight", etc. Guys generally do not want to be nagged. That might be why Rarity is single. Best case scenario: Rarity realizes how much male attention Fluttershy receives and wonders "what am I doing wrong?", Fluttershy helps Rarity gain the best traits of her own personality, boom. Rarity wins.

 

Regarding the "gold digger" thing mentioned: I don't think she's a gold digger. She just doesn't want to marry someone classless. "No Scrubs" by TLC is practically her theme song. Too bad she hasn't realized money can't buy class.

Nagging?  I am not nagging.  Do you want to hear nagging?

[Orablanco Account 3,708]

Yeah the stallions she goes for usually end up being jerks. I guess it really is what's on the inside that counts.

 

Now I don't really think Thunderlane since I find the hug as just a reaction to her life being saved. Who knows Rarity might find the perfect stallion *coughFancypantscough*.

Isn't he married, or have a marefriend or something? Cuz that's the vibe I was getting from Fleur's behavior. That, and I don't think Rarity was goo-goo over him outside of the whole "he's the toast of the town" thing.

 

In fact, what's with Thunderlane thing? I'd hug the guy too if he helped save me from falling to my death.

[NomDeSpite 452]

 

 

Nagging? I am not nagging. Do you want to hear nagging?

Please God no.

 

For the record I will state that Rarity is my favorite pony in the Mane Six. I wrote a list of reasons why I like her...somewhere on this forum. In a Rarity thread. But like I said, nopony's perfect.

[Orablanco Account 3,708]

 

 

 

A pre-adolescent (and even young-adolescent) puppy-crush can last for years. I should know. Doesn't stop it from being a puppy-crush. Often those develop into a deep adoration and respect, while the romantic aspect fades into the background. I can see that happening with Spike. He obviously still wants to impress Rarity, he looks up to her and enjoys her approval... But I think he's starting to realise that there's not going to be a romance there. Course, when someone you look up to that much compliments you, you're still going to blush and respond a little goofily. And he very much values the friendship they have, and being her 'favourite dragon'. It's sweet, realistic and very heart-warming.

 

I simply cannot picture Rarity pairing up with anyone younger than her; dragon, stallion or otherwise. She needs someone more mature than she is, not less. Someone calm who can make her laugh, who will temper her tendency to dramatise everything, and who she actually looks up to. She's also very dominant; a partner will need to meet her halfway. Having been the dominant personality in a relationship with someone who acquiesces to nearly everything, I can say from experience - it's dull. One personality just tramples the other, and a good relationship is all about balance. (And yes, sorry to say but age plays a role in personality development.)

 

(Speaking of time-frames, since no pony, including little ones like the Crusaders, seems to age in this show, I'm going to say that I doubt there's a genuine time frame. If anything, I'd say 2 years at most. If the Crusaders get their cutie marks next season, I'll concede an extra year.)

 

@@NomDeSpite, if Rarity changes her own personality to suit a potential mate, she hasn't won anything, and she's lost a great deal. Annoying personality traits can be tempered, but suppressing them completely will only ever lead to misery. Instead, I'd suggest she find a stallion who doesn't mind her nagging, or who deflects it with humour. Or who doesn't exhibit traits she needs to nag him about. Why settle for someone who doesn't suit you?

 

Also, I've met some horrendously whiny men. It's not just women who nag. Ugh. Believe me.

Good point. And well stated too. Again, if the writers can find an effective way to cap it, I can live in a Sparity-less world. My head canon says Spike will develop into that meet-her-halfway maturity, but wutevs, it's just head canon.

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

You really think guys would be as fawning over her if she was male?

 

I don't know, I love my docile male cat, so I was just saying there's a possible parallel.

 

EDIT: Scratch that, this is the dumbest post I've ever made. 

Edited May 1, 2014 by Dry Colt

[hawkflame 3,315]

Is it really surprising, considering the state of gender roles and stereotyping in todays world, that a popularity poll voted in by a male majority would favour a shy, docile, submissive pony? Because I'm not surprised by it.

 

And before anyone brings up Rainbow Dash, everyone likes her because her personality pegs her as 'one of the boys'. Rarity is an ultra-fiminine, very assertive pony, and so she struggles in the popularity polls.

 

She doesn't need to, and shouldn't, deliberately change anything about herself.

 

One of the things I like about Rarity is that she subverts the expectation that someone with a "high maintenance" personality must be bitchy or mean.  Yes, she has somewhat of a forceful personality, while being unabashedly girly.  But she can also be kind and helpful and care about her friends.  That's honestly a big quality that I would like in a woman.  I like women who are unabashedly feminine but also have an independent spirit about them. 

 

i don't like to make assumptions about people, but I do get the sense that to some guys she's a threat to their masculinity.  She doesn't *need* someone to protect her, or at least she doesn't inspire that "protective" feeling in most guys ( well, except Ghostie )and at the same time she has no need or interest in more "masculine" hobbies. 

[Radiance64 7,059]

Well, she could certainly be doing better when it comes to looking for a stallion... she did act super-cute in Simple Ways though, Trenderhoof is truly an ignorant doof if he didn't notice her one bit.

I think the love from her friends is enough for now though, since that's the show's underlying theme I don't think Rarity's quest for love is really that important.

 

not to mention it allows me to daydream of me & her without having to think of getting another 'factor' out of the way wait, what?

 

[Whatevs 377]

Yes. It's Dogged Nice Girl/Unlucky in Love.

 

Now to talk about something tangentially related, she does NOT have bad taste in men.

She misjudges the men she is interested in. Bad taste means she gets with men who are bad for her in some way.

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

Yes. It's Dogged Nice Girl/Unlucky in Love.

 

Now to talk about something tangentially related, she does NOT have bad taste in men.

She misjudges the men she is interested in. Bad taste means she gets with men who are bad for her in some way.

 

Well put, if I do say so myself.

[ShadOBabe 19,027]

Yes. It's Dogged Nice Girl/Unlucky in Love.

 

Now to talk about something tangentially related, she does NOT have bad taste in men.

She misjudges the men she is interested in. Bad taste means she gets with men who are bad for her in some way.

 

Exactly. Rarity knows what she wants.

She knows that someone like Blueblood is not it, no matter how rich or handsome he is.

I don't think Trenderhoof is an unhealthy choice to be in a relationship with, but her obsession with him to the point that she tries to change herself and gets mad at Applejack IS unhealthy. But she comes to realize this. Trend is not a bad guy, but I don't think he is right for her (and DEFINITELY not right for Applejack, yeesh). He's just too dense and too into himself and his own profession.

 

I think Rarity was just kind of starstruck. But since Trenderhoof wasn't being downright rude like Blueblood, it took her longer to realize it. When she was with him I'm sure she was recalling all the things he's written about and how she always relates to the opinions expressed in his articles. She think's he's cute, she thinks his lifestyle is interesting, and she likes his tastes. And since he never did anything wrong except be kinda dumb, she kept thinking that it was her fault it wasn't working out.

 

Really, someone like Fancy Pants is the best opinion I've seen so far.

Not Fancy Pants HIMSELF (I'm a FancyFleur shipper), but someone like him. Handsome and high society (or at least with an appreciation for it), but mature, kind, and supportive.

Edited May 1, 2014 by ShadOBabe

[Whatevs 377]

Now time to dump my thoughts on things brought up in this thread.

 

1. I don't really see Rarity as dominant. She's determined and ambitious but not so much dominant. I thought the comic Nightmare Arc established this well as she seeks gratification from gratifying others.

Not so much dominant.

Admittedly this would take more to flesh out.

 

2. Nagging. Rarity isn't that big of a nag. Especially not around men.

Dash and Twilight are bigger nags imo (Dash is more pushy but it is a similar annoyance)

[Graveyard Duck 150]

I like the word "prat". It's a good word.

[Obsidian Sky 14,004]

Now time to dump my thoughts on things brought up in this thread.

 

1. I don't really see Rarity as dominant. She's determined and ambitious but not so much dominant. I thought the comic Nightmare Arc established this well as she seeks gratification from gratifying others.

Not so much dominant.

Admittedly this would take more to flesh out.

 

2. Nagging. Rarity isn't that big of a nag. Especially not around men.

Dash and Twilight are bigger nags imo (Dash is more pushy but it is a similar annoyance)

1: Yeah, maybe dominant was too strong of a word, but she certainly is no pushover and knows what she wants, and even this is already too much for some men, i reckon. (You can kinda see this in the people that dislike her... )

 

2: Agreed, even though many see Rarity as bitchy (wrongfully of course), she actually almost never complains about other ponys, she almost always complains about herself, and even this not that much as some say.

[Dattebayo 2,850]

Yeah, by not looking at Spike.

Ho! I kill me sometimes.

[Adorkable 2,737]

Actually, while I'm not much of a fan of shipping, I think Rarity nailed it with Fancy Pants. I ship those 2 so hard.

[Scootalove 10,692]

I don't think that Rarity is pursuing love in all the wrong places, she feels that she will have time to settle down and have an intimate relationship with someone she knows what she wants.