Happy Anti-Valentine's Day

[evilpanda]

I didn't want to sully the Valentine's Day thread with my negativity, so I started a new one for all the folks who don't particularly care for this holiday, because I certainly know I'm not the only one.

I hate this stupid day, and it's not because I'm single. I looove being single. It's because, if you're in love, you shouldn't single out a holiday to show it to your SO. If you aren't, you shouldn't be given a day where everyone rubs it in and makes you whine and complain.

I just know that my roommate and my single friends are going to take the opportunity to bitch about their exes and why they can't get laid. My friend Michael dreams of this day, when he has every excuse to plaster his myspace with bulletins and blogs about how girls hate him and he will be single forever, blah blah blah.

But, to be fair, being lonely sucks. And it wouldn't suck so much if there wasn't a stupid holiday that gave couples a reason to get luvvy-duvvy in public, showing off like Heidi and Spencer all the pink and red heart-shaped bric-a-brac that screams, "Woo-haa! I'm in a fucking fairy tale and I have rose petals and strawberries coming out my arse!"

Seriously, we don't need a holiday to show love, we should do it everyday. The idea of singling out a specific time is asinine. It devalues love for the other 364 days and makes vapid, shallow people believe that they are entitled to some happily-ever-after bullshit, no matter how unrealistic. It's as if the entire world, for one day, pretends to be a Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan movie, with every couple trying to stage their own romantic comedy, with everyone around them as a captive audience.

So, who can blame the singles for being unhappy? The couples are out on an exhibitionistic smooching binge. They're rubbing it in. That causes single people like my friend Mike to band together in little pity parties, seeing who can produce the most drama. For these sad people, life is more like Requiem for a Dream. You'd have to drink a bottle of Scotch and watch Taxi Driver just to cheer yourself up to normal.

And the REAL bollocks is that something that probably was a good idea in a world stacked against love... back in the 1400s... exists today as a gigantic advertising scheme to sell all that disposable heart-shaped garbage for all your disposable income, which, in these economic times, is an oxymoron. This whole day is Marketing 101, but most of us can't see it, what with all the vermillion in our vision. We are collectively the biggest batch of suckers on this day, allowing advertising to play with our emotions for profit.

The only people who care about this day are the ones who aren't secure with where they are relationship-wise. Couples who really are stable and in love don't need a day to show it to each other with a prepackaged gesture from Wallgreens. Only shallow couples feel the need to show off their love to others, when romances are completely uninteresting to anybody but the two people involved in them.

I'm sick of this stupid, pointless holiday. It's irritating and annoying. I was going to try and get laid this weekend, but, when I realized what day that fell on, I decided to boycott and try next weekend.

:2cents:

[wolfcamp]

I feel this way about Christmas. I happen to like V-Day, even though I've spent a few of them by myself.

[rissababynta]

No holiday is worth boycotting if your boycott consists of you putting off getting laid!

[tatooedpunk]

When the hell was valentines a holiday????? or is that just for you workshy yanks lol

[codybear3]

When the hell was valentines a holiday????? or is that just for you workshy yanks lol


LOL... Wish everyday was a holiday...-Cody :paw::paw:

[Laken]

I'm inclined to agree to an extent. I don't mind everyone else showing off and stuff...but then again...I'm married and not single. Keith and I don't celebrate Valentines day because we think it's stupid. Like evilpanda said, there shouldn't be just one day set aside for you to do something nice/sweet/romantic for your partner. I think it's much sweeter if Keith surprises me with something on a random day then if he gets me anything on Valentines day. Plus, not celebrating it takes off all the pressure of trying to find that "perfect" gift. I don't have to worry about having something before/on a certain date. I just think it means more if I'm out and I see something that I know he would like...so I get it for him. It's not like I did it because I had to...I did it because I was thinking about him.

[12voltman59]

Since this is the "lets bitch about Valentine's Day" thread---here is my only problem with Valentines Day:

I am ambivalent towards Valentine's Day---but I will be glad it will be gone so I don't have to see those syrupy commericials on the telly for "Every Kiss Begins with Kay!" for Kay Jewelers and the one that really gets me---"He Went to Jared!!"--God I hate those commericials!!!

I have my problems with the commericials for diamonds because the fact is---if De Beers didn't hold back something like 95% of the production of diamonds---most diamonds would only cost a mere fraction of what you get charged by the jewelery stores----its also not that I dislike diamonds per se---but that the sellers of these "stones" manipulate the market for them as they do--does bug me--and then there is the whole issue of "blood diamonds."

One of these days----I am going to spend some time with some friends who live near that state park down in Arkansas where you can sift through the dirt searching for diamonds and hopefully will be able to get me a nice stash of them--then I would have no problem giving diamonds as a gift--but the way the system of diamonds is set up now---I just resist playing into it.

I guess my problem with Valentine's Day is the way, it, like other special days became a marketing tool---but the basic underlying aspect of it-is great---and as someone said----why not try to take some of the ideas of the day and incorporate it in as many days as possible to show that special someone you care for them???

Why just do that on one special day each year???

The other problem I have with the mass market jewelery stores---it seems to be the thing with them that the guy is the one who buys his lady some jewelery---but the lady never reciprocates---I wouldn't care about getting any diamonds--but she could buy me a cool watch, one of those nice wrist bracelets or a male appropriate neckalce of some sort--they never show a woman buying her man something and he tells his buddies: "She went to Jared!" (of course the guys wouldn't sound like they are melting--but if they did it in the right tone---it would actually make for a nice commericial)

The guy's response would be more along the lines of "Wow--SHE got me something from Jared!"

The way they do it now though--the tone they set with those ads is along the lines of---"that guy had better get me something from Jared!'

It is more about stereotypes that men always have to buy their ladies jewelry and women don't need to do likewise for their honeys.

I think this is actually a very old fashioned way of looking at things--I have been in at least one relationship in the past that the lady was the one who made the big time bucks--this one gal I dated a number of years back now---she made more in a year that it would have taken me the better part of a decade at my state salary to make in the raw number--forget taxes---I'd never make what she did--so she was the one who should have been expected to buy the big gifts--not me!! She did buy me nice gifts and liked whatever I got her!!

It does piss me off that the marketers just go for the default position that they guy has to be the one to buy the lady the expensive, blingy gift!!

[Sarasvati]

So, who can blame the singles for being unhappy?

The only people who care about this day are the ones who aren't secure with where they are relationship-wise.

Why should the happiness of a simulacrum be of any concern to anyone else? Romantic love does not require security. On the contrary, it is the essential riskiness of romantic love that helps to elevate it to an ideal.

That human beings indulge in a pursuit that must inevitably wither and die does not decry that pursuit but illuminates the fragility of our human condition and puts us back on our knees in front of...in front of...in front of...

I think you may like to consider employment in a factory where your abilities can be put to greater use.

[alegrias]

Since this is the "lets bitch about Valentine's Day" thread---here is my only problem with Valentines Day:

I am ambivalent towards Valentine's Day---but I will be glad it will be gone so I don't have to see those syrupy commericials on the telly for "Every Kiss Begins with Kay!" for Kay Jewelers and the one that really gets me---"He Went to Jared!!"--God I hate those commericials!!!

I have my problems with the commericials for diamonds because the fact is---if De Beers didn't hold back something like 95% of the production of diamonds---most diamonds would only cost a mere fraction of what you get charged by the jewelery stores----its also not that I dislike diamonds per se---but that the sellers of these "stones" manipulate the market for them as they do--does bug me--and then there is the whole issue of "blood diamonds."

One of these days----I am going to spend some time with some friends who live near that state park down in Arkansas where you can sift through the dirt searching for diamonds and hopefully will be able to get me a nice stash of them--then I would have no problem giving diamonds as a gift--but the way the system of diamonds is set up now---I just resist playing into it.

I guess my problem with Valentine's Day is the way, it, like other special days became a marketing tool---but the basic underlying aspect of it-is great---and as someone said----why not try to take some of the ideas of the day and incorporate it in as many days as possible to show that special someone you care for them???

Why just do that on one special day each year???

The other problem I have with the mass market jewelery stores---it seems to be the thing with them that the guy is the one who buys his lady some jewelery---but the lady never reciprocates---I wouldn't care about getting any diamonds--but she could buy me a cool watch, one of those nice wrist bracelets or a male appropriate neckalce of some sort--they never show a woman buying her man something and he tells his buddies: "She went to Jared!" (of course the guys wouldn't sound like they are melting--but if they did it in the right tone---it would actually make for a nice commericial)

The guy's response would be more along the lines of "Wow--SHE got me something from Jared!"

The way they do it now though--the tone they set with those ads is along the lines of---"that guy had better get me something from Jared!'

It is more about stereotypes that men always have to buy their ladies jewelry and women don't need to do likewise for their honeys.

I think this is actually a very old fashioned way of looking at things--I have been in at least one relationship in the past that the lady was the one who made the big time bucks--this one gal I dated a number of years back now---she made more in a year that it would have taken me the better part of a decade at my state salary to make in the raw number--forget taxes---I'd never make what she did--so she was the one who should have been expected to buy the big gifts--not me!! She did buy me nice gifts and liked whatever I got her!!

It does piss me off that the marketers just go for the default position that they guy has to be the one to buy the lady the expensive, blingy gift!!

wow. I happen to like valentine's day, but I totally agree with you here Voltman. You'll be happy to know that even though I've been married for quite a long time, I don't own a single diamond - and I don't want one either. Why should we pay hundreds, or even thousands of dollars for a little shiny rock? I can think of a lot better ways to spend our money.

[jamieknyc]

As an neutral party- I'm Jewish, so I don't have to get invovled with 'Saint Valentine's' day (actually, there was no such person)- I think this 'holiday' ws made up by the florist and jewelry industries to separate people from their money, just like Mother's Day is a holiday that was invented by the card companies.

[darkeyes]

As an neutral party- I'm Jewish, so I don't have to get invovled with 'Saint Valentine's' day (actually, there was no such person)- I think this 'holiday' ws made up by the florist and jewelry industries to separate people from their money, just like Mother's Day is a holiday that was invented by the card companies.

Me has lotsa sympathy for that view Jamie... an think ther is a lot in wotya say... but me luffs me mum an dad...an luff Kate... don mind doin stuff for em on mums day or dads day 2 show em wot they mean 2 me..or in this case Val's day... mite b a lil tart at times but deep down am a soppy romantic at heart an don think bein specially nice 2 each otha on 14th Feb 2 remind oursels a wot we mean 2 each otha is 2 much 2 ask... an it can b an is triff fun...tee hee;).. sure we can do stuff alla the year round an prob shud..but 1 day a year wer we can show by our actions jus how much peeps r in our hearts specifically seems rite 2 me.. Chrissie an 2 a lesser extent birfdays we compete wiv our world in 1 way or otha.. mum's day an dad's day is a 1 of spesh day each year 2 show the depth a feelin we hav an we do moren jus send peeps a lil card or buy em a pressie an in case of Val's day nice romantic nite out... they mite b nice..but practical measures on those days seem 2 me 2 b much more worthwile... an they don havta cost owt cept time an affort..not 2 much for those we luff most huh?:) .. an me finds they r at least as appreciated as stuff that costs lotsa dosh...

[rissababynta]

Since this is the "lets bitch about Valentine's Day" thread---here is my only problem with Valentines Day:

I am ambivalent towards Valentine's Day---but I will be glad it will be gone so I don't have to see those syrupy commericials on the telly for "Every Kiss Begins with Kay!" for Kay Jewelers and the one that really gets me---"He Went to Jared!!"--God I hate those commericials!!!

I have my problems with the commericials for diamonds because the fact is---if De Beers didn't hold back something like 95% of the production of diamonds---most diamonds would only cost a mere fraction of what you get charged by the jewelery stores----its also not that I dislike diamonds per se---but that the sellers of these "stones" manipulate the market for them as they do--does bug me--and then there is the whole issue of "blood diamonds."

One of these days----I am going to spend some time with some friends who live near that state park down in Arkansas where you can sift through the dirt searching for diamonds and hopefully will be able to get me a nice stash of them--then I would have no problem giving diamonds as a gift--but the way the system of diamonds is set up now---I just resist playing into it.

I guess my problem with Valentine's Day is the way, it, like other special days became a marketing tool---but the basic underlying aspect of it-is great---and as someone said----why not try to take some of the ideas of the day and incorporate it in as many days as possible to show that special someone you care for them???

Why just do that on one special day each year???

The other problem I have with the mass market jewelery stores---it seems to be the thing with them that the guy is the one who buys his lady some jewelery---but the lady never reciprocates---I wouldn't care about getting any diamonds--but she could buy me a cool watch, one of those nice wrist bracelets or a male appropriate neckalce of some sort--they never show a woman buying her man something and he tells his buddies: "She went to Jared!" (of course the guys wouldn't sound like they are melting--but if they did it in the right tone---it would actually make for a nice commericial)

The guy's response would be more along the lines of "Wow--SHE got me something from Jared!"

The way they do it now though--the tone they set with those ads is along the lines of---"that guy had better get me something from Jared!'

It is more about stereotypes that men always have to buy their ladies jewelry and women don't need to do likewise for their honeys.

I think this is actually a very old fashioned way of looking at things--I have been in at least one relationship in the past that the lady was the one who made the big time bucks--this one gal I dated a number of years back now---she made more in a year that it would have taken me the better part of a decade at my state salary to make in the raw number--forget taxes---I'd never make what she did--so she was the one who should have been expected to buy the big gifts--not me!! She did buy me nice gifts and liked whatever I got her!!

It does piss me off that the marketers just go for the default position that they guy has to be the one to buy the lady the expensive, blingy gift!!

well volty, not all women do not reciprocate. When hubby bought me an engagement ring way back when, i felt that he should have one to sport as well.

[12voltman59]

[QUOTE=rissababynta;123098]well volty, not all women do not reciprocate. When hubby bought me an engagement ring way back when, i felt that he should have one to sport as well.[/QUOTE

I do know that many ladies do reciprocate---what I was really talking about was the seemingly endless promotion of the commercial side of Valentine's Day----and that the companies that make much of their income from such sales-----are still stuck in an old mindset that the man is the one who buys the nice gifts for the ladies in his life--but they don't show the ladies reciprocating and buying the men in their lives anything at all---based on the frackin' commercials----you'd think the role of women in life was to just sit back not just waiting, but EXPECTING their men to buy them something while they didn't do anything but swoon when the guy bought them the diamond necklace or earrings at Jerrod or Kay's Jewelers---actually to my mind----the message they send is somewhat offensive and condescending to both women and men!!

And I try my damdest to resist such constructs--but like the Borg from Star Trek, they are all powerful and---"Resistance is Futile!" :bigrin::bigrin::bigrin:

[rissababynta]

[QUOTE=rissababynta;123098]well volty, not all women do not reciprocate. When hubby bought me an engagement ring way back when, i felt that he should have one to sport as well.[/QUOTE

I do know that many ladies do reciprocate---what I was really talking about was the seemingly endless promotion of the commercial side of Valentine's Day----and that the companies that make much of their income from such sales-----are still stuck in an old mindset that the man is the one who buys the nice gifts for the ladies in his life--but they don't show the ladies reciprocating and buying the men in their lives anything at all---based on the frackin' commercials----you'd think the role of women in life was to just sit back not just waiting, but EXPECTING their men to buy them something while they didn't do anything but swoon when the guy bought them the diamond necklace or earrings at Jerrod or Kay's Jewelers---actually to my mind----the message they send is somewhat offensive and condescending to both women and men!!

And I try my damdest to resist such constructs--but like the Borg from Star Trek, they are all powerful and---"Resistance is Futile!" :bigrin::bigrin::bigrin:

i just don't like how everything has to be anyone buying each other anything. one of the nicest gifts i've ever gotten was a card that my husband made for me. He put a lot of work into it and I will alway have it.

[alex_d]

Plain and simple. It's the marketing and sales pitches trying to get in peoples pockets and convince them they need to spend money on certain things. It's no different than any other commercial on T.V., radio, newspapers, magazines, or internet trying to get you to spend money on Christmas or any other "so called" holiday. Get over it, this is how the world is now, it's all about the marketing. I don't care for it either, but sitting and complaining about things which we have no control over does no one any good. Only way I see to combat this issue is to simply not fall for the advertisers gimmicks (which apparently many of us are not). But to be "Anti-Valentines Day" is a bit over the edge to me. Instead of spending big money on diamonds and such, why not make a special "date" with your significant other, do something out of the ordinary and surprise her, ya never know, he or she might get a much bigger kick out of you using your imagination, than just forking out money for a mindless purchase of diamonds, candy, or flowers.

[hotblue9925]

Spending the money "just because it is expected" means absolutely nothing - although a lot of people seem to think so. I like to send people flowers and stuff any day of the year - it doesn't have to be on Valentine's Day. Lockiing everthing into a single moment in time kind of ruins it for me.

[alex_d]

Spending the money "just because it is expected" means absolutely nothing - although a lot of people seem to think so. I like to send people flowers and stuff any day of the year - it doesn't have to be on Valentine's Day. Lockiing everthing into a single moment in time kind of ruins it for me.


Good point, but i was referring to those specific "holidays" in order to combat the marketing schemes

[hotblue9925]

Good point, but i was referring to those specific "holidays" in order to combat the marketing schemes

No - actually I agree with you on that one. I sabotage the schemes by buying stuff whenever I want - not when they want me to. (So if I want to, I can get roses at about 75% less than they cost right now).

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

lol Bah Humbug Panda :tongue: ;)
Cat

[rissababynta]

Ok, I watched Kung Fu Panda for three days straight when the TV broke last week, so now everytime I see or hear someone say Panda, I have a mini panick attack...thanks cat :-D lol.

[Lonewolf76]

Ok, I watched Kung Fu Panda for three days straight when the TV broke last week, so now everytime I see or hear someone say Panda, I have a mini panick attack...thanks cat :-D lol.

Rissa -
Yeah - that movie ruined me too. My family and I love oriental food and we have a chain here in Colorado called Panda Express. Wouldn't ya know since i watched that damn movie 6-8 times with my grandson, I now ALWAYS say "Anyone want food from Kung Fu Panda?" and my daughters roar - it's hell to get old and senile! LOL