Valentine’s Day: Damning Indictment or Tacit Endorsement?

[blackjack]

<3

I luff j00

[ceejayoz]

to me... it's a time to spend with someone special (doesn't have to be a date... just hang out, whatever, be friends)... show someone you care :)

[sajuukar]

Ya, well, it is a corporate scam, but it is nice to reflect on your past... and on loved ones!

So valintines day is an evil plot in the flesh and bone of a day for caring. And it works! Many people buy into it and "love" more.

:angel:

[Thorn]

I call it singles awareness day...

[Delphy]

Although I share some of the sentiments I have to say I bought a card, but it was a plain and not tacky one (took me a while to find), with the words "It happens when we kiss" on the front.

From this, I made up a poem.

So, perhaps the love letter as we knew it hasn't died, but simply shifted forms?

[Vaarok]

Fish, I was going to post just about the exact same thing, but with the forums being squirrely, I guess you beat me to it.

I agree wholeheartedly on every point.

The only good bit of Vday I see is the massive discounting of Russel Stovers Assortments pound-boxes of chocolates the day after.
Buck fifty a pound. As cheap as two candy bars for much more chocolate.

mmm....

[Tygre]

Valentine's...Easter...Christmas... As a non-denominational Buddhist/Agnostic/WtfEver, I celebrate everything in which I can get stuff. As a partial cynic, I use my non-religion as an excuse not to have to give.

And there is nothing wrong with being 102% cynical.

Actually, the problem with Valentine's day is that it's the only day where unless you aren't in a relationship, a man's life depends on his ability to show emotion. That sucks...

[Walker]

I have never celebrated Valentines Day or any other public celebration. Not Easter, not Halloween, not even Christmas - I only do things on these days because they are expected of me. I do not become overflowingly generous on Christmas Day or express my love on Valentines Day, or do whatever the spiritually right thing to do is on Easter. But if you don't buy presents, or send cards, or hide eggs, people think you're a bastard. Because you don't subscribe to their ingrained consumerism and routine.

Ion, people who learn to be romantics learn to be the harshest, most cynical bastards shortly after. You're one of those who stops short of total depression - as far as we can see, at least. Hang on in there.


I am genuine in my feelings and emotions. I don't select a day or a time period in which to give vent to an emotion, or do a certain thing, because everyone else does and because you're meant to or I'm told to. If I love someone I'll do whatever I want to do whenever I want to show them so. I won't send them a twee little card or write duff, cliche poetry. If I want to reward people for contuinuing to be my friend (you get the point) I won't buy them presents at Christmas, I'll do whatever I feel like doing whenever I want to show them.
These things are totally meaningless. They are conventions that mean nothing. Do you understand? They do not affirm anything. They are lore, routine, learned behaviour. Their sole purpose is for other people's commercial gain. The sooner you see that the better off you'll be. If you truly believe sending a card and flowers to your lover on Valentines Day proves that you love them more, then I have no respect for you. If you truly believe buying all your friends and family presents at Christmas shows them you like them all, then you are a willing puppet of the corporate.

The trouble with this philosophy, like I said, is that other people rarely think these thought in their ignorance, and in their utter compliance to commerce will feel hurt that you didn't comply as well. The corporate victory is that great.

[oneredpanther]

I call it singles awareness day...
HAR. That is quite possibly the funniest thing EVAR

Anyway Ion, this is what I posted in your LJ, should you not have noticed it:


hear hear!
All those in favour of deferring 21st Century romance to the wastepaper basket say 'Aye'.
*sounds of 'aye' from the Squeegee Aliens of SAL (http://www.battlenet.co.uk/projectred/squeegee) (Society At Large)*

It's quite tragic that my most cherised romantic ideals seem nothing more than perhaps a quaint victorian story. I resolved to stay indoors on the 14th, and play very loud techno until my ears were so bashed that I could no longer hear amorous couple's sweet nothings on my sojourn into the city.

YOU BASTARDS. I'LL KILL YOU ALL.

*sigh*

[zenogias]

C'mon, let the people have their fun.

I don't personally see anything wrong with exchange tacky cards, boxes and candy, and cheap-but-cute stuffed animals. Sure, nobody every gives me any of this stuff, but big deal.

However, hearing that they hold violent anti-Valetine's Day protest in India did fill my Shit-that-makes-me-go-'WTF?' quota for the day.

[Walker]

I don't mind it. In fact, I wish I'd been there to take part. What use does an Indian peasant scratching a life together have for a tacky Western consumer custom? Nothing you can say can convince me there is one. I'd have liked to provide them with cardboard hearts to burn, frankly.