Miss Seal The other day, I tried to explain Valentine's Day to my mom: "A boy gives you candy."
"Isn't that International Woman's Day, except you don't have to be dating the boy for that to happen?"
That's when it hit me - Valentine's Day is pretty much a uniquely American holiday. (Please correct me if I'm wrong).
In Russia, you have International Woman's Day, and all females are celebrated. You get flowers for your daughter, your sister, your grandmother, etc., etc. Obviously, there is a romantic tinge in that the person you're dating gets you something, but this doesn't exclude other people; the holiday isn't just about individuals in a relationship.
A friend of mine said that Valentine's Day is just a marketing ploy to get people to buy flowers, candy, jewelry, and the like. I wonder how that came about.
How do you feel about Valentine's Day? Do you think a more inclusive holiday would be the better way to go, or should people stop complaining about it so much? It's just one day..
Comments (135)
i hate it.
Valentines Day is not just an American thing. Countries in Western Europe also celebrate this day.
I like Valentines day, even though I never get any valentines.
I think it's a terrible holiday, whether you're single or in a relationship.
If you're single you spend it alone while the rest of the world is out loving it up.
If you're in a relationship it's just another reason to have to do something for your SO. Much like an anniversary but there's no special meaning behind it. It's just there. and you have to. Because it's the law.
I think it came about because some guy named Saint Valentine killed a bunch of people or something. I forget. Maybe he ate hearts
XD
Eh, it's okay. I'd more likely agree it's Singles Awareness Day. I have no real feelings toward it. I'm guilty of celebrating it, I usually get my friends (male and female alike) flowers.
Well, Valentine's Day is not just about women though, but also about the men... They get candy and stuff too.
And it's certainly not just an American holiday... They definitely have it here in Canada as well, and I believe it's also celebrated all over Europe.
It definitely is a marketing tool, but I think it's an extremely nice holiday. It's about love, after all - and you can celebrate love no matter what religion or background you come from.
i'm on the fence. i think the most special day between a couple should be their anniversary, wedding or otherwise. i give my daughter valentine gifts on that day. i don't think it should be exclusively for romantic couples. the russian holiday is kinda like mother's day and valentine's all in one, yes?
people will complain. let them. it's a free country...
national single awareness day :)
that's what i used to call it all those valentine's days when i was single. yea it's a god awful holiday that makes children and teens all over the world feel left out and what not. like when you dont get a lot of cards in your little mail box in elementary school or you dont get a candy gram in high school. i do feel like it's very commercialized. thanks a lot hallmark.
people should just stop complaining about it.
let the people who want to enjoy the holiday enjoy it.
and those who hate it can mope for a day or so
and besides i've had friends who were girls be my "valentine" and we'd trade chocolates just b/c it's a cute idea.
you don't have to make the day miserable.
I think people should stop complaining so much
Even when i didn't have valentine i would get gifts for my family and friends.. and my mom would always get something
But now it's my boyfriends and I anniversary day so i think about it as an annv. and not so much valentines day
Seriously, it's just one day. Not a big deal! Of course it's commercialized, but then again most things are commercialized here.
I hate valentines day. Its dumb
I live in England and Valentine's day is VERY big here! It is not uniquely American.
I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day, whether I'm in a relationship or not. It just feels so forced and fake to me. I'd rather my SO just skip the big show on V-Day and do something sweet randomly some other day. Besides, everything seems to be over-priced and super-tacky on V-Day. No thank you.
It is an idiotic creation designed to make people in relationships feel infinitely superior to anyone and everyone not in a relationship by doing shit on one day that they should be doing everyday.
well.. actually.. in japan they celebrate it too.. just differently. from what i know, it's the girls that give the boy they like/ their significant other the chocolate/valentine.. and then (if it's to a crush), on white day (march 14th), it's up to the guy to reciprocate if they feel the same.
personally, i think i like the japanese version better..
A holiday is a holiday. I do believe it was created as some sort of Hallmark ploy to promote sales, but I don't really mind. I just take it as a day to appreciate my friends and family, and a significant other if I have one. People tend to make this a big deal. They call it Single's Day, Anti-Valentines, you name it. it's all in good fun, and if you don't want to participate in it, then don't. Complaining won't make the holiday go away, so just revel in the time you have with people you love, right?
I think Valentine's Day is a bit overrated. How many women are disappointed because their men don't meet their expectations of the "perfect" day?
Besides, if you're in a relationship, everyday you should celebrate one another.
I'm all for an "Unconditional Love" day, where we all do things for one another without expecting a desired result.
Just another date.
@mbbrad4d@xanga - love the "unconditional love" day idea.
anyway, the day is just about love. love for your significant other, love for your family, your friends, hell, even your pet.
don't buy into the commercialism, don't expect your boyfriend to be like the guy in walk to remember, just celebrate the love in the world, and the day is guaranteed to be one of happiness
I love Valentine's Day. Even when I was single, I thought about the people that were in relationships and how awesome Valentine's Day could be for them.
Sure, it's stressful for some, but for people like me, VDay is a great excuse to be extremely romantic and do something special!
it only reminds me that i'm single.
I don't mind cuz at least on that day my friends don't get mad at me when I down a entire bottle of vodka. It's not like I hate the holiday and think we shouldn't celebrate. I think its a day were if your dating someone you should do something special for them. Not like buy expensive things but you know. Have breakfast ready for them. Take them out to a movie. Make her feel special without burning a whole through your wallet or expecting anything.
i used to like valentine's until i got myself a boyfriend.
there was nothing to stress about when i was single, just another day really! any excuse to go out with the girlies!
now i gotta worry about any looming surprises and creating some sort of gift myself!
and i know it should be any other day - "every day shud be valentines day" - yadda yadda, but really i'm sure there's still that expectation inside everyone somewhere, even if it's the smallest gesture.
i think that valentine's day is overrated.
why do we need one specific day for guys to be extra special? JUST once a year? coz it seems like after this day, the guys just go back to being lazy asses. no more effort and all. why cant they do it like once a month? treat us like it's valentine's??
nway, it seems like i got bad history with VDAYS thats why i sound a little bitter LOL but im just saying.
v-day has become one of those holidays that has become over commercalized. it was cute in grade school to give out cards to all but i am sure someone was left out.
but this day is not just about women...it is to recognize someone you care about, male or female. i know that singles view it with distain, but who is to say they could not express their careing feelings to those they care about. it should not be the only day to express your feelings if you are in a relationship and i know the pressure is mostly on the guy to come up with something to his gf/wife/so.
so why not have a day that is super special to be extra romantic to your so and extra special to those you care about as it could be your mother,father,brother,sister,best friend or even a coworker. maybe even a xanga friend could benefit?
and i think this world could use a day that is set up to spread some love. dont you?