there is nothing finer than getting a bunch of roses from a man with salan (curry) stains on his Shalwaar kameez.

Whether you like it or not love is in the air, or is it?

I was asked if I thought romance is dead, without thinking I blurted ‘of course’. But I was then asked ‘’What about Bollywood movies?’’. We all know no-one does romance like the Indians!

All of us can think of a string of songs that lyrically spoke the language of love like nothing else. Whether that was ‘Kuch kuch hota hai’ or ‘Dil walay dulhaniya layjaya gain’ those tracks can move you to tears.

I sense there are fair few who have got away with the ‘Valentines is Haram’ comment to save themselves having to buy anything! Or come out with “but darling everyday is valentine’s day’’!

So, how do you keep hold of romance. It would be so much easier if they brought out a book - ‘Idiots guide to romance’?

Chances are men will be too embarrassed to pick it up with the fear of being spotted in the queue at WH Smith.

Times have changed gentlemen, gone are the days when your woman would be delighted by the sure fire ‘3’, you know flowers, chocolate and jewellery.

The feisty females of today expect their man to surprise her. For any cleaver Richards who think saying ‘SURPRISE Happy Valentine’s Day I bet you thought I forgot’ at 11.59 on the 14th will not get you a kiss on the cheek, you are more likely to get a kick in the goolies!

The kind of surprise I am talking about is flying your good lady off in a private jet to The Ritz in Paris!

I only know of one individual who has the art of romance down to a fine art. He has been known to painstakingly cut out pink love hearts to add as confetti to a gift he was packing for his girlfriend.

I think that amount of thoughtfulness does not go unnoticed as they are now married.

I’m not saying that it was all down to the wrapping expertise but I would say for 9 out of 10 women a romantic man who displays his affections with originality will get the girl.

I bet I am going to get a barrage of e-mails from those who romanced their women only to be dropped like an out of fashion Prada bag.

So, is romance dead? That depends whether there is a ring on the finger or not.

If there is then you are at a comfortable stage in a relationship, which basically means the ring is on the finger she isn’t going anywhere!

However if you are in the early throws of the relationship you will be having kittens trying to figure the mind of a woman. You may as well give up now, it’s never happened yet and believe me many a professor has tried.

If she is the right one even if you get it wrong she will smile and say ‘I love it, whilst thinking ‘Thank God the tags are still on - I can still give it back’.

If she sings from the same song sheet as Katie Price it will never be enough so do what Peter Andre did, get shot and save a fortune on head ache pills.

Romance dead, no not as long there are women and there are men!