Why did we think the Milk Tray man was romantic?

[Popquorn]

Basically he worshipped from afar (stalked?), then broke into people’s homes dressed all in black to leave them a box of chocs, and this was seen by most people, including younger me, as endearing and romantic.

Was it the world before #MeToo and entirely acceptable, or am I simply mis remembering how creepy he actually was?

a) Back then, Cadbury's chocolate in general was really nice.
b) Back then, giving someone a box of chocolates was seen as a really special thing to do.
c) The concept was that nothing would stop him getting that esteemed present to the lady, because that's how much of a hero he was.

It really wasn't like a stalker at all.

But then I have a real bugbear about people putting 21st century eyes on things from decades ago.

He was lush. And he left chocolate and buggered off, so you wouldn't even have to share.

This made me laugh

"We" didn't. The ad men did.
Some of us thought it creepy af.

I often think this about the song “I drove all night”.

He was self-effacing, not looking for immediate brownie points and recognition. He was thoughtful, considerate and indulging. He was slim, good looking and secretive.

But in both those instances - Roy O and the other Man in Black - if he was your actual boyfriend, you’d be thrilled about the amount of effort involved. These were the days when you were given a teasmaid as a wedding present, to spare your husband the slog of going downstairs to make you a cup of tea in the morning.

I’m with you 100%!

I wouldn't mind someone putting chocolates through the letterbox.

I'd object to them scaling up walls.

It was a simpler time and Bond was a popular character. The Milk Tray man was a combo of Bond and Clint Eastwood in Where Eagles Dare (in my humble opinion).

It was also a time when the chocolate was better!

Nope. Nope . Nope.

It’s his girlfriend. He drove all night.

And ‘make love’ didn’t have to mean a shag you know.

See also “Baby, it’s cold outside”.

Oh I hate “baby it’s cold outside” despite it being a cracking tune.

This song was originally by Cyndi Lauper - it’s quite a different vibe when sung by a female!

What about the Ambassador spoiling you with his Ferrero Rocher? Would you have been tempted to rummage in his Diplomatic pouch?

I think because it was so far fetched it was more symbollic than scary.

If they had a man hiding behind a tree watching a lady walk home alone before sneaking into her house behind her with some chocolate it would be alarming.

I saw it more as a super hero chocolate delivery service

I never looked that deep into it

Thank you!!

A good looking man secretly gives you chocolates. What’s not to love.

Perfect man really. Drops by like a ninja to drop off some chocs, leaves with no drama and always knows where you are to replenish dwindling supplies! 😂

It was fine coz it was The Milk Tray Man.....
Obviously in real life if you got home and found your home broken into and a random box of chocolates it would be creepy.

Completely agree!

We didn't have the same values then than we do now, hence it didn't appear stalkerish at the time.

I always thought it was a James Bond kind of a thing.

I wouldn't mind someone breaking in to leave a box of milk tray, milk tray is the best!

To me it isn't stalkery because it's so over the top, As @ThatHazelGuide says it was more superhero vibes and in keeping with a lot of TV and movie icons of its time.

Cannot stand all this overthinking stuff shite.
Get back in your safe bubble box, switch off the telly and lock all the doors

It was different because people didn't feel the need to run some sort of deep thought process though it and over analyse everything.