Love Lessons from Chick Flicks

Inspired by Eat Pray Love, we cozied up to the DVD player and ID'd the take-home advice from six memorable romcoms. Plus:
10 Movie Quotes That Make the Worst Pickup Lines


Eat Pray Love

If you can quit your job and travel around the world for a year to get over a bad relationship, as Julia Roberts' character does, go for it. But since you probably can't swing the time off and inevitable credit card debt, try to devote the post-breakup grief period to exploring who you are and what you love-so your next relationship is a better fit. You don't have to travel to India to move on. Just try try one of these genius forget-the-creep tactics instead.


When Harry Met Sally

Thanks to this Meg Ryan-Billy Crystal classic, many a girl has wondered if her totally platonic guy friend was worth a second look. And though the real-life answer is typically, um, no, there's something to be said for adding great sex to an already amazing friendship. Oh, and "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible" just might be the most romantic line of all time. Here's a list of guys you think you should date- but really shouldn't.

500 Days of Summer

Adorable Joseph Gordon-Levitt is so head-over-heels, he literally trips over himself every time Zooey Deschanel walks into the room. Spoiler alert: He didn't end up getting the girl he pined for (well, not for long), but this flick made it clear that it is possible to move on after you get your heart broken. Hello, Autumn. Wanta know why guys are always into those bad girl types? Read this.


Before Sunrise

Here, two cute young travelers backpacking through Europe meet on a train and then spend an evening exploring Paris. While we're not suggesting you have sex in the park with a stranger (not even an Ethan Hawke look-alike), the takeaway seems to be that adding some spontaneity and adventure to your life can set you up for a heart-pounding, life-changing 24 hours.


Sleepless in Seattle

Meg Ryan's plan to fly across the country to meet a man she heard on a radio show reeks of the kind of desperation usually found in the Missed Connections section of Craigslist. Still, there's a lot to learn from this film. For starters, if your fiance bores you so much that you stay up at night listening to talk radio, cut him loose. From there, learn to trust your gut and never fear potentially making a fool of yourself in the pursuit of romance. Think online dating. We'll tell you the secret to writing an alluring profile.


Clueless

Best known for hilarious quotes and Alicia Silverstone's enviable wardrobe, the heart of this '90s hit was Cher's clumsy attempts at playing cupid, all the while not realizing that she and her sweet, jokey ex-stepbrother have the kind of chemistry she's been searching for. The lesson? Look no further than your family tree to find a love match. OK, we're kidding-it's really about how the connection you crave could be right under your nose. Here's how to suss out if a guy is really into you.


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