Pseudoromantic

Pseudoromantic or sensromantic is a microlabel for individuals on the aromantic spectrum who experience a non-romantic (tertiary) physical and/or emotional attraction which mimics or borders on romantic attraction.

These individuals experience strong physical and/or emotional attraction (such as aesthetic attraction, sensual attraction or platonic attraction) to a specific individual(s) which mimics romantic attraction (often by inducing shyness, romantic fantasies or a desire to be closer to the individual). Despite this they lack the intrinsic desire to commit romantic acts with that individual(s) and/or have a romantic relationship with them.

Some common pseudoromantic experiences might include:

• Experiencing interest, shyness or a desire to be close to the individual (physically and/or emotionally) caused by aesthetic, sensual and/or platonic attraction without a drive to commit romantic acts with the target of attraction.
• Enjoying or being romantically interested by individuals in romantic content or fantasies but being uninterested in real romantic activity with the individuals.
• Experiencing interest, shyness or a desire to be close to the individual caused by viewing or otherwise sensing them but lacking romantic attraction towards the individual.
• Experiencing aesthetic or sensual attraction so strongly it overwhelms any potential romantic attraction.

Pseudoromantic can also be used as a prefix (eg. pseudo-biromantic, pseudopanromantic) or as part of an angled aroace or oriented aroace identity. The term "pseudoromantic attraction" may be used as an alternative by individuals who don't feel like this label fits or who are not on the aromantic spectrum, so it can be a type of attraction and not necessarily a label for the identity of an individual.

A pseudoromantic crush can be called pseudocrush or semicrush, or in any way the individual who feels the attraction wants to call them.

The sexual equivalent is pseudosexual.

History and Flag

Pseudoromantic or sensromantic was coined by Miraheze user JayZaPL by making this page you're reading right now, along with it's flag. It was based and inspired on the term pseudosexual, as the autor of this label and attraction realized that they felt like that, but not only in a sexual context but in a romantic context as well. They didn't find an identity that described that situation or feeling, so they made this for it.

Etymology

The term pseudoromantic is based on the Greek root word "pseudo-" meaning "false". The root word "pseudo-" was chosen to represent how tertiary physical and emotional attractions present themselves as a false (pseudo) romantic attraction.

The alternative name for the orientation, sensromantic, is based on the Latin root word "sens-" meaning "to feel". The root word "sens-" was chosen to represent the importance of visual (eg. aesthetic) and other sensory (eg. sensual) attractions, as well as emotional (eg. platonic) attractions, in this orientation's attraction.

(this is a work in progress, pls wait)