I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day, but I truly do not understand why some people seem to loathe it or label it as a consumerist holiday when, in America at least, there isn’t a single holiday that isn’t completely defined by rampant consumerism.
Maybe Flag Day? I’ll get back to you on that.
There seems to be three main parties in our (extremely heteronormative) culture who advocate their hatred for the holiday: men in relationships, single women, and grumpy anti-consumerists. Not that all people in any of these categories hate the holiday, but all people who hate the holiday seem to fall into one of these groups.
To men in relationships…
I know you think your significant other (usually a girlfriend) has expectations so astronomical that you cannot help but fail completely, but you’re probably being over dramatic. Very few people, especially college students, actually have sky-high expectations. They’re broke. You’re broke. Everyone is broke. Most people understand these things.
“Megan, you don’t get it! They really do expect this to be the greatest date night they’ve ever experienced!” Of course, not all people understand that money and time are very real issues for most people and especially for students. That said, if your SO is expectant for a night that’s really not reasonable, this issue you’re having probably isn’t designated to just Valentine’s Day – you probably have some deeper issues in your relationship you need to work out. Best of luck with that.
An example of unrealistic expectations.
To single women…
It’s not that I don’t understand being single – I really, really do. I’ve only spent about six weeks of my life not being single and, frankly, I forget that happened most of the time. But please don’t use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to wallow in self-pity about your relationship status. You can do that any day of the year. The only difference between Valentine’s Day and any other date night is that there’s more red and pink everywhere, everything is heart shaped, and some people probably wear slightly cuter underwear.
Last year, my friends and I were all at a level of single that can really only be experienced at Notre Dame. But instead of wallowing in self pity, one of my friends wrote everyone a letter describing their best qualities and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room. If ignoring the holiday isn’t enough for you, I highly recommend a Leslie-Knope inspired Galentine’s Day – mine was one of my favorite memories from freshman year.
It’s only the best day of the year!
To grumpy anti-consumerists…
I know, I know – consumerism is killing America. We’re in it’s stranglehold. But really, leave Valentine’s Day alone. At least it’s honest about its consumerism. If you’re going to attack holidays for consumerism, take a look at Easter (Christmas is too far gone to save). I had a friend in high school who got a Wii for Easter one year. Her family wasn’t even Christian. Easter! I didn’t even know people got gifts on Easter beyond candy and sidewalk chalk. That being said, Valentine’s Day is all about gifts for your special someone to show him or her that you care. Please don’t attack Valentine’s Day for being exactly what it’s supposed to be.
Wow, so edgy. So deep
HCNDxo (We can be your Valentine!)
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