No, not April 15. Valentine's Day. I wrote a Valentine's rant last year, but the more I think about it, the more I realize just how stupid the entire concept is.
Like I said last time, it's ridiculous to manipulate people's emotions and make them feel guilty for not buying useless crap. I find it hilarious that people take this "holiday" so seriously in the first place. Why set aside one day to celebrate love? Are you faking it the rest of the year?
The whole gift-giving thing is what really gets me, though. I've never had a girlfriend (yes, ladies, I am available), so maybe I'm missing something, but...think about it. The whole reason you get involved in a relationship is because you enjoy being around the other person, right? So why should you need to prove yourself by buying them stuff? That seems suspiciously like bribery to me, among other things. If you willingly spend time together, doesn't that prove that you have some sort of affection for each other? Why bring money and little pink trinkets into the equation?
Seriously. Think about it. Do you form friendships by buying crap for your friends? No. You form friendships because you enjoy their company. So why should romantic relationships be any different? Just enjoy being together and stop acting like you have to pay for your significant other's approval.
Even the concept of cards strikes me as a little unnecessary:
"To prove how much I love you, here's a piece of paper with someone else's words on it!"
If you're going to go that route, at least take the time to express your own feelings, not those of someone who gets paid to put words in other people's mouths.
Now, I understand the idea of emotional significance, and I suppose I can see why people would want to get their boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/whatever (for you Massachusetts residents) gifts occasionally, but the basis of your relationship should be the quality of your moments together, not the quantity of money you spend. It just seems more honest that way.
Thank you.
UPDATE
Heh.
I've been busy lately, but today, I feel compelled to comment.
I've always been one to scoff at Valentine's Day. I truly believe that working at a flower shop helped to ruin it for me.
I don't think that there should be one particular day where you 'love your bf/gf/husband/wife' more than every other day of the year.
I hate the commercials which advertise gifts by telling men that they should give her some wonderful gift that will make all of her friends jealous of her.
Relationships are about the little moments, not the commercial holidays. If you can't spend quality, enjoyable time with someone, then it seems to me that there is no real relationship there.
That said, this is the first Valentine's Day ever that I have a date - and I plan on enjoying it to it's fullest. I don't expect any gifts or cards; I'll pay my own way. I'm looking forward to the conversation and time spent.
Posted by: katherine at February 14, 2005 04:27 PMEven though I've been out with "that someone" on V-Day past, I agree with you both that it is a ridiculous pseudo-holiday. CD & Katherine, you've both summed up my thoughts exactly.
Posted by: Crispy23 at February 14, 2005 05:41 PM