UK here, so maybe my view is skewed and weird.
'Partner' feels serious, mature, and long-term. 'Boyfriend/girlfriend' I associate with being a teenager and listening to Blink 182 on repeat.
The reason male characters are underwritten in romance, is so the audience can fill the void with their own unique imagination of what a perfect gentleman should be.
If you define the character too much, you risk destroying their fantasy.
Different cuts.
Back - UK more popular because most people here prefer meatier
Belly - US more popular because they prefer it crispier
If you want to make a great bacon sandwich, use both cuts, crispy and meaty, try maple infused bacon, add grated extra mature cheddar. Use
