Guys Take On: Valentine’s Day

Tradition is a huge part of American culture, and while most traditions are meant to be static, there are some that tend to evolve over time. Valentine’s Day is definitely one American tradition that has gone through a process of evolution.

Valentine’s Day was once known as a day filled with love and only love. Kisses, hugs, chocolates, love letters, and flowers were exchanged between a happy man and woman who were madly in love with each other. And, if you were too young to love, you exchanged Valentines with cute golden retriever puppies or ninjas on them with your classmates. Nothing but love was in the air for an entire 24 hours.

Oh, how the times have changed…

February 14th is still filled with plenty of love, but it is also filled with plenty of bitterness, resent, regret, jealousy, alcohol, and ice cream. There is so much diversity now in regards to how women feel on Valentine’s Day, that we can divide the types of woman into four distinct groups.

1. The one who is completely satisfied with all of the treats her significant other got for her

2. The one who is completely dissatisfied with all of the treats her significant other got for her because she set her expectations at a ridiculous standard

3. The one who is perfectly content with being single and spends the day with the people in her life that she loves

4. The one who is not content with being single, is extremely bitter about being single, deletes everyone on Facebook who mentions Valentine’s Day, tweets about being single so everyone knows how miserable she feels, drowns herself in alcohol and ice cream, and pretends that Zac Efron or Ryan Gosling is her valentine.

The biggest reason Valentine’s Day has changed for the worse is because of the women who fall under groups two and four.

First, the women under group two expect the world from their man. They’re expecting him to show up at their doorstep holding flowers, a box of chocolates, and a 2-month old puppy (SPOILER ALERT: You’re not getting a puppy). On top of that, they expect to be treated to dinner at a nice restaurant where dim lighting is a requirement.

Now, let it be known, I have no problem with a woman expecting treats and a dinner date. What I do have a problem with is a woman expecting these things without expecting to have to give anything back in return. Ladies, I hate to break it to you, but your man is just as important. It is not necessary that you spoil your man as he may spoil you, but give some sort of gesture to show you care about him, just as he cares about you. Trust me, even the tiniest gesture, like a letter, will mean a whole lot to your special lad.

Even though these “group two” ladies can get on the nerves of others, they are nothing compared to those that find themselves in group four. These ladies are a cry for help and an even louder cry for attention. These ladies are the ones who have really put a damper on what Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about. I completely understand one’s disappointment about being single on a day that’s all about not being single, but there is one thing you have to remember: that’s your problem, so please don’t make it everyone else’s.

To be completely honest, if you are one who makes your problems public as a way to seek attention, you can’t expect much sympathy. No one on Twitter or Facebook has much interest in the fact that you just bought six tubs of Ben and Jerry’s Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream and are going to watch The Notebook on repeat all day because you have plans to marry Ryan Gosling some day, as he is your true valentine. Others aren’t bombarding your day with pity so there is no reason to bombard theirs. If you really can’t take the Valentine’s Day talk on social media, then avoid social media on your iPhone and play Flappy Bird till your thumb falls of instead.

All in all, Valentine’s Day is a day of love and appreciation for the special people in your life. Appreciate and understand the fact that you have so many people surrounding you who love and care for you. Trust me, they are there, and they don’t plan on going anywhere.

Just remember, ladies, that if you do have a special someone, make sure you give back and make sure they know they are special. If you don’t, well, best of luck.

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