Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine's Day

I’m certainly not in the minority when I accuse Valentine’s Day of being a largely empty, fabricated holiday. It’s no secret that it was practically conjured out of nothing by greeting card companies in an effort to stir up some revenue.

So many people hate Valentine’s Day for its overemphasis on relationships—call it singles’ awareness day—and I can feel their pain. After all, for the last twenty years I’ve spent every single Valentine’s Day alone. The “generosities” and “affections” of happy couples only make it painfully obvious for people without a significant other.

But is being in a relationship on Valentine’s really all that special? You take turns saying “I love you” and “Happy Valentine’s Day,” kiss, go out to dinner, etc… because it’s Valentine’s Day and that’s what you do. Most people buy chocolates or flowers because that’s what’s anticipated from them. It’s an insincere and uninspired process—you feel an obligation to purchase trivial gifts culled from the simulacrum, tired symbols that every person has access to. If you want to make a gesture of love, why do you have to wait for a specific day of the year to do it? And why does it have to be an indistinguishable piece of the mass markets of bullshit? Write a poem (a real one, not one of those sappy or uninspired pieces of forced shit), make a scavenger hunt, plan a unique activity. Do something fucking creative! But even then, if you don’t get flowers (like I didn’t), you’re probably fucked—and not in the way you’d want to be on Valentine’s Day. You didn’t conform to the unsentimental and painfully ordinary traditions of a bullshit holiday, so you’ll probably receive endless scorn. Flowers are supposed to make someone feel special. How? They’re the most recycled and overused symbol of sentiment in existence.

In my first-ever Valentine’s Day relationship, I’m struggling to do something meaningful that departs from the monotonous and predictable paths of the population’s majority. Odds are, it’s going to bite me in the ass one way or another. But to all you gorgeous souls out there without someone to share Valentine’s Day with—take comfort; it’s a shitty, awkward and tiresome “holiday,” and even though you might be lonely, you’ve no obligations or expectations.

18 comments:

  1. If you truly love someone, don't just go about emphasizing it on Valentine's day; do it every day

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  2. Its more like a corporate holiday, meant to sell shit lol

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  3. In my 20 years I've never been in a relationship on valentines day. I'm not sure if I feel like I'm missing out, or that I've dodged a bullet.

    We'll see..

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  4. be a animal and do what we have been doing since the beginning of time if you do it right best valentines ever.

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  5. V-day is just any other day as far as im concerned. don't let it get you down.

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  6. Today is monday for all i know.

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  7. lol valentine's day... I just like the chocolate..

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  8. ya the chocolate is pretty cool, I played Zelda today haha

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  9. I got her flowers and chocolate... lol. Generic

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  10. I am referring to it this year as "Single's awareness day"

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  11. i feel bad for people who are sad they are alone on valentine's day. i'm alone but it's just another day it's not a huge thing.

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  12. I prefer "Singles Awareness Day", or S.A.D.
    Following.

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  13. I think Valentines day is one of those, "In the eye of the beholder" type of things. It is whatever you make out of it. I'm single, yet my entire family gave me little thoughtful gifts that made me feel special. It's not just a Holiday for couples; it's a Holiday to celebrate love for anyone really.

    I went out on a limb and made a card (by hand) for a guy I've liked for quite sometime. He really appreciated it and in turn that made me feel AMAZING.

    So those out there who are single; don't think this day is only for couples. Go out and make someone feel special. It can be anyone you care about.

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  14. just don't get to excited over valentines, real love has it everyday.

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  15. Guess I'll play the devil's advocate here and say that I like Valentine's Day. For starters, I have never bought a hallmark card in years. I hate them. I make all my own cards. Crayon, construction paper, the works. I did little pop-out hearts this year. Twas great. Anyways, I agree lots of dull vapid people just go through the motions of Valentine's day (as they do with other motions in their lives) but for me it seems like just an excuse to do something for someone. Want to ask a guy/girl out? V-day is a good occasion to do it. Gonna pop the question? Why not on V-day?
    More importantly, the rest of society will understand what your doing without having to explain. For instance, if one wants to take off work and says "Just spending some time with my significant other" the boss might have a problem with that, in general. But if it's on Valentines day, many bosses would be more understanding. Especially if you say "got a little special something planned!" (As in you're not just getting out of work.)

    Anyways, I try to do something special with my SO every Valentine's day. It's also nice having a day to look forward to. All that being said, V-day isn't as important to us as say, our anniversary. Like I said, it's really just an excuse for us to get together.

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