Lights, Camera, Charlotte York and Big Expectations

Olivia Rodrigo has released a new song called “Expectations.” She says she won’t settle for a guy with a fake job. But the inventor of that concept is our eternal optimist: Charlotte York from Sex and the City.

She believes in love with her heart, always thinks romantic stories end happily, and has her own ideals about being a woman.

Some think she sets impossible standards. As Carrie would say:

“I couldn’t help but wonder… are high standards for a man necessary?”

A good job and income, a perfect family, a dream wedding, and more…

Of course, we all would like to get the whole package, but the question is not absolutely that. The real question is: is it realistic to expect all of these at the same time?

As a 16-year-old, I don’t expect much from the teenage boys around me, but if I were 30 and single, I would be team Charlotte.

Do I think the expectations she has are realistic? Not completely, but with the right guy she is hoping to end up with, dreams can come true.

I also think that if someone wants the perfect family, the perfect job, and the perfect guy, it is not too much to ask for.

The reason why Charlotte gets a lot of criticism is that she judges other people who don’t want the same things she does. In the show, she has a great contrast with Samantha, who is a completely different character. Charlotte either stays silent when Samantha talks about her own ideals, or she argues with her, mostly without listening.

I think this is the key point of our discussion: not judging other people’s expectations, whether it’s the perfect plan with the perfect guy or simply being happy on your own.

I’m turning the lights down for now.

See you in the next chapter!