Alright ladies don’t kill me yet just give the article a chance. In fact I was actually debating whether I should write this article or not but then I figured it’s my blog so it’s only fair if I write what’s on my mind at all times. Don’t worry I’m not some miserable single guy, I do have plans for Valentine’s Day. With that being said I will NOT state that Valentine’s Day is a scam. I just want everyone to ponder a few questions in their head before they come up with an answer.
Do you need a specific day to tell someone how you feel?
Do you need a specific day to show someone appreciation?
Do you need to go for a fancy and expensive dinner when you could cook some better food at home?
Why do hotel/restaurant rates increase significantly just because it’s February 14th?
After you ponder these thoughts you will come up with a clear answer in your head. However, some bad news for the guys- no matter what you do you’re not getting out of spending money on Valentine’s Day, sorry. If you’re going to remember anything about this article then remember this; you don’t need to spend a fortune tomorrow to have a good time, just do what feels right.
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That ad above the comments is pretty intrusive….
But anyways, I guess I am good at finding quality women because my g/f proposed that we just get a bottle of cheap wine and go to a local eatery that is BYOB. It is pretty cheap… we will probably wind up paying $8/each. haha.
So $16 + a $6 bottle of wine. No gifts.
Gentlemen, don’t settle… get a good woman.
Also, studenomist… don’t be so apologetic in your posts… it makes it seem like you have no opinions. Take a stance!
I actually do think that Valentine’s Day has been exploited by marketing departments. It’s become hugely commercialised with many people having over-inflated expectations which subsequently cause rows because their partner is supposed to *know* that “I don’t want to do anything special” means “Please hire a horse-drawn carriage and book a table at The Ritz”. However, the essential core is a good thing, reminding us not to take people we love for granted and giving us an excuse to make them feel special.
In my universe, it’s pretty much always been 50%-off-chocolate eve. *I’m* the one always getting in trouble because I say “I don’t care” and actually mean it, and then he (whoever he is at the time) does something for me and gets upset that 1) I’m not crying from happiness and 2) didn’t do anything for him. *laugh* I hate cut flowers of any flavours. I don’t consider dead plants to be representative of “eternal love”, and a waste besides. Get me something potted if you have to go that route. Buy me chocolate, if you absolutely have to, but for the love of everything do it the day after and catch the discounts. Save your time/energy/money/creativity for my birthday, which is the important date as far as I’m concerned.
Flowers… @};-
Jasmin
Jasmin is a good one
I dislike Valentine’s day. There’s so much pressure from everybody to do something special. I get pressure from the gf. I get pressure from coworkers asking what I’m going to do. I even get pressure from the students I tutor. Fortunately, we decided to just stay in cook dinner and use our anniversary, one week from now, to do the whole going out thing. The only thing that is worse than Valentine’s day is Sweetest Day. I wish I could make up holidays.
My husband bought me a valentine’s coffee mug. My response– “Oh, that’s sweet. I hope you got this at the dollar store.” (Our 13 year old son said, Told you, Dad.)
Going on 19 years. Certainly not because of chocolate and overpriced hallmark cards. Though I do like chocolate.
I also like your blog, though I’m probably too old for it. But I have a 17 year old son and I keep trying to get him to read it. He won’t, so I read it and somehow I manage to bring up almost everything you say in our conversations.
I feel like v-day has certainly been exploited by marketing people. I have male friends who sending cards to their mothers on v-day in addition to doing things for their girlfriends.
It seems a bit one sided though that the males are expected to do most of the wooing on this day. I wish there were similar expectations from girls as well.
I am VERY GLAD you wrote this article. In fact, I wrote one for today as well, its being published around 3pm today.
Basically, why do we need one day out of the year to appreciate someone else? What about the rest of the 364 days?
What happens Sunday morning or Monday morning? You go back to “reality”.
To me it is almost like one day when we all fake it. And worse yet people are so blind and they go out and spend fortunes. I mean really, why are you doing it?
Because your girlfriend or boyfriend will get mad? That’s stupid.
And yes your suggestions for staying in are a lot better then going out and spending a fortune.
GREAT JOB!!!
@Frank Thanks for your opinion. I didn’t mean to come off as apoligetic but at the same time I didn’t want to come off as some miserable guy complaining about everything.
@Suzie Bee The core idea of the day is great but unfortuneatly it has been watered down to the point that it has become another day to exchange gifts.
@Jasmin I like your way of thinking. Sounds like whoever your dating for your birthday is going to be a very busy guy.
@Steve I’m with you man I hate all of the pressure. Everyone is always to top each other and be the better boyfriend.
@Melanie Yes the best coffee mugs come from the dollar store. Thank you for the kind words and hopefully one day your son will read Studenomics as well. Just so you know you are NOT too old for this blog. In fact it is a resource for young people but who do you think has the best advice to offer young people? People older than us of course, like yourself. Some of the articles may not be directed at you but that is why there is a comment board. So please feel free to share your comments or advice whenever you see fit. This blog is a learning experience for me, I share my thoughts and then I learn from the great readers.
@Richerandslimmer I always find it funny when people feel that they need to give every female in their life a gift for Vday.
@tom I can’t wait to read your article later today. You brought up a very good question; what about the other 364 days? Are we exempt from showing appreciation?
In answer to your questions:
No, I don’t need a special day, but it can be nice to celebrate when other people are celebrating.
No, again, I don’t need a special day, but it can’t hurt.
No, I don’t *NEED* to go out, but it is nice to be romantic every now and then. (Although, preferably, not on a day when everyone else is out and the restaurants have two hour waits.)
Because hotels and restaurants are run by smart people, and with the larger than normal demand for their products, they’re going to try to get every dollar they can from the love-struck masses.
Is Valentine’s Day a scam? Probably about as much as any other holiday that encourages mass consumption on an annual basis.