I've been hearing a high amount of griping these past few weeks, all of it about Valentine's Day. Most of it was from dudes on radio shows who were groaning about how they had to buy their significant others a card once a year because of some "made up" holiday.
That's laughable on two counts:
1) All holidays are essentially made up. A group of people decides that a day is important for whatever reason and then observes that day yearly in some form.
2) These guys really make the effort to buy a card?
I've always loved Valentine's. Maybe it's my innate love for decorating because, if given the time, I will deck the halls with heart shaped holly...and heart covered garland...and maybe some tinsel if any of the stores have some for cheap [February's still post-Christmas, maybe they haven't packed it all away just yet].
It astounds me how there was this vast gender divide among the paired off late 20s and up crowd that was giving input for these radio shows. Almost all the men said they were sick of having to do something for their lady just because of a holiday. Almost all the women said that if their man didn't think that doing something for Valentine's Day was important -- no matter how small the deed -- then it was time to get a new man.
It had me in stitches, the complaints that is. All these dudes complaining about being "forced" to be romantic on a certain day, never mind that it would probably make their significant other happy. This holiday is just something a lot of couples in our society observe. If they didn't like that, why did they get into a relationship? Or why didn't they sort this out before now instead of begrudgingly going to the convenience store last minute for someone they supposedly care about? This is the equivalent of complaining about Christmas shopping even though you've always celebrated Christmas, except it also makes the complainer seem like a total jerk.
Maybe I'm missing something. Maybe it should be a big deal to be forced to do something small like buying flowers or a card because of social expectations. But, at the same time, even if there if I can't help but think of the many ways in which their misdirected anger could actually become productive. But I love giving Valentines. People always seem really happy to get them, so shouldn't that be enough?
At least the people with whom I come into contact aren't downers like those talk radio dudes. I spent the better part of yesterday selling Valentine's Day cards as part of this fundraiser and almost everyone who came by was delighted. The only naysayers? One guy who suggested we start a matchmaking service for those without a valentine and one young woman who generally did not like cards.
Happy Valentine's Day!
