Sal is a King - Hypocrites Be Damned
I have been obsessed with Love is Blind since Episode 1, Season 1 - and Season 2 has been no exception. I love debriefing and theorizing about it, and enjoy hearing everyone’s takes on the cast members and relationships.
One popular take, though, that I can’t get on board with is the reaction to Sal. To be frank, I think it is hypocritical.
My friends and the media (including a few of my beloved The Dipp podcasters) consistently complain about their male significant others or the current dating pool, and go on and on about how the men they meet are emotionally unavailable, can’t express their feelings, won’t open up, communicate poorly, don’t listen, etc.
Then, we see Sal on our screens who is emotionally available, expresses exactly how he’s feeling, and listens to Mallory. He strives to form a true partnership with her, and is constantly lifting her and their relationship up. He doesn’t pressure her to make decisions or move their relationship too quickly. He cares about and wants to hear and discuss how she’s feeling, and continuously reassures her and expresses his love to her (and yes, sometimes that is via song, which aligns with his degree in and love of music). And what is the response to him?
“Sal is so annoying. I can’t stand him. If he was my boyfriend, I would smash that guitar. He’s disgusting. He’s too emotional. He’s not my type.” All very hypocritical opinions.
Do I think Mal and Sal should have ended up together? No. But do I think Sal is not being recognized for being a stand-up, respectful, strong and steady, emotionally mature and available man? The kind of man that is often not represented in reality television and popular culture, and as a result, not in society? Yes.
The hypocrites need to put down their swords and recognize that Sal is a king and should be celebrated. Men should be encouraged to feel and express their emotions, and King Sal did just that.
Sal is way sweeter and more attractive than the show and viewers treated him. If I were to criticize anything, it’s that he was a little boring, which is probably a compliment when you compare him to the very-not-boring people on the show. (Ahem, Shayne.)
I need to know more about the ex-girlfriend thing before I can really declare him a king, but let’s just consider him a dauphin for now.
Personally, I would never date a man who sang to me. I'm just too emotionally unavailable for that. BUT, compared to the other men, Sal definitely seemed more contentious and thoughtful.
That said, there are reasons to doubt him:
1. That whole ex-girlfriend thing made me wonder if he was here for the Right Reasons, as they say.
2. All of the vague talk at the reunion about Mallory was off-putting. Why bring it up if you're not going to elaborate? Then we just fill in the blanks ourselves.
Mostly agree with you. I didn't like his behavior at After the Altar though. It almost seems like he's blackmailing Mallory. Every time she said anything, he raised his eyebrows and was like "I want to keep my mouth shut, buuuuuuut." Not into that.
I wonder if he really was emotionally available or just a people pleaser trying to make something work that was never gonna work, though. It was clear that Sallory didn't really vibe, but Sal kept performing gestures (the cooking, the singing, the flowers) that he thought would fix things? Idk. I think he was a great communicator in the end when he broke up with her, but instead of giving her all the space she wanted, he could've said, "I feel like this isn't working -- what's going on?" IDK IDK
I get what you're saying. I really do. He is emotionally available and kind. I thought he was a STAND UP GUY for talking to Mallory's family after they didn't go through with the wedding. And for some people, he's a GREAT match. For me personally, I get the ick. And that's what makes the world go 'round. Take me off the roster, ladies! He's all yours!
I hear you, I see you. But Sallory is a mess. He comes across as fake to me, and in the words of Whitney Rose Beauté "FRAUD". I just do not love a man who sings, and that is my truth. And ultimately led Mallory to believe he was going to say "I do". Unless there was a lot we never saw.
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