The Dobler-Dahmer theory

There's a fine line between love and insanity.

It's Dobler-Dahmer theory.

If both people are into each other,

a big romantic gesture works.

Like Lloyd Dobler, holding up the boom box, outside Diane Court's window in Say Anything.

But if one person isn't into the other, the same gesture comes off serial-killer crazy, or Dahmer.

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Whether a gesture's charming or alarming

depends on how it's received.

<How I met your mother, s8ep15>