Each episode of Grey's Anatomy features talented doctors saving lives, pushing the limits of medicine, and working tirelessly. But while the medical cases are compelling, most fans watch the show for all its relationship drama. A lot of dating problems come up, from couples who cheat to secret marriages and awkward moments between friends who realize they can't become something more.
Just like how fans will always remember certain scenes, viewers can never forget the sweeping romantic moments that many of these characters have shared. Fans can learn a lot from the high and low points of the main characters' major relationships.
Ignore What Others Think
Derek and Meredith are the number one couple for so many fans. They loved each other deeply, shared the same passion for medicine and saving lives, and wanted to have a family.
This popular pair can also teach fans to ignore what others think and date who they want to date. On the surface, this love story had its problems from the start, as Meredith was part of the intern program at the hospital and Derek was an established surgeon. But they knew that they had something special.
Hiding A Secret Will Only Create A Total Disaster
Derek didn't tell Meredith he was married and, of course, that was a massive problem. As soon as they were clearly interested in each other, he should have said that he was still married to Addison. He also could have come clean that it was a marriage full of struggles.
Learn from Derek and take this dating advice: hiding a huge secret is only going to lead to disaster. It's much better to be honest from the beginning and lay it all out on the table so the other person has a chance to figure out how they feel about the situation.
Separate Work And Your Personal Life The Best You Can
For many of the characters on Grey's Anatomy, the hospital is not only their place of employment but also where they meet their love interests. This is true for so many couples, from Arizona and Callie to Jackson and Maggie.
The doctors on this TV drama could give people the advice to try to separate work and personal life. It can be tricky to date someone at work, as it causes a lot of tension and drama, and it would definitely be best to try to meet someone outside of the office for that reason. It's also tough to date someone who works in the exact same field, as it's hard to talk about anything else.
Sometimes Dating A Friend Doesn't Work Out
George cheated on Callie and slept with Izzie, and this was the wrong decision for so many reasons.
While Izzie had a crush on George for a while before they started dating, their romance was incredibly awkward. They learned that they were much better off as pals and that they didn't have enough of a spark to sustain a relationship. This is an important piece of dating advice that fans of the hospital drama can take to heart: sometimes dating a friend doesn't work out. There are so many romantic stories of best friends becoming soulmates, but it can also go the other way and ruin the friendship.
Don't Let A Partner Dim Your Own Special Qualities
One of Cristina's most famous quotes is when she told Meredith, "He's very dreamy, but he's not the sun. You are." She was trying to make Meredith see that she couldn't forget her own goals, dreams, and desires just because she was in a long-term relationship with Derek.
It's easy to get caught up in love and forget to have that sense of independence, so this is an important dating tip. Both Cristina and Meredith struggled with partners who were sometimes intimidated by their brilliance and hard work.
It's Okay To Be Single
After Derek's tragic death, Meredith struggled to date for a long time. Her friends encouraged her to start dating again, especially since a few people were interested in her. But despite how sweet Will Thorpe seemed, it was impossible for her to move on at that moment, and Meredith had trouble committing to Nathan Riggs, too.
Meredith needed more time to heal and it was totally fine that she stayed single. This is a smart piece of dating advice for fans of Grey's Anatomy, as there's nothing wrong with stepping back from the dating world for a while. Maybe someone wants to focus on school or work or they just don't feel ready.
Always Talk About Important Topics, Like Work And Having Kids
Callie and Arizona were a wonderful couple, but they had some tough moments that stemmed from their lack of real, proper communication.
Arizona got an amazing grant where she could really make a difference by helping kids in another country. Callie wasn't that supportive or thrilled about it. They also don't talk about children properly, as Arizona came back home and learned that Callie was going to have Mark's baby. Take some advice from this couple and always talk about important subjects so chaos and hurt feelings don't follow.
Sometimes Couples Need A Second Chance
Fans found April and Jackson's romance confusing, but it's fair to say that many would have expected them to find their way back to each other. Instead, April married Matthew, which was a big deal since a few seasons earlier, she had walked away from their wedding to explore her love for Jackson.
This brings up an interesting dating tip: sometimes couples need a second chance to make things work. April wanted to see what would happen if she dated Jackson, and the fact that she went back to Matthew proved that she never got over him. This time, she seemed ready to commit.
Find Someone Who Supports Your Dreams
A case can be made for Miranda Bailey as the main character on Grey's Anatomy, especially when considering her dramatic love life.
At the beginning of the show, she was married to Tucker and raising their son, and her husband told her that if she was going to start a fellowship in pediatric surgery, he didn't want to be married anymore. Bailey realized he didn't support her career dreams and did the right thing by ending their marriage. This character would tell people to find someone who is super supportive and cheers their partner on as they strive to meet their goals.
Online Dating Can Work, But Be Careful
Lots of couples meet via dating apps and websites, but many people have stories that aren't so successful.
Maggie went out with a guy named Clive after talking to him on a dating app, but when she brought him to hang out with her friends, his wife knocked on the door. It was shocking for her to realize that he was actually married, but this sadly happens in real life, too. This is another smart dating tip from Grey's Anatomy: while online dating can work, it's a good idea to still be careful when meeting new people this way.