Opinion
Valentine’s Day created by companies
February 14, 2008
I don’t know if I’m just out of the loop, but I was surprised to realize that I really haven’t heard that much about Valentine’s Day this year.
Not that I’m complaining.
I enjoy the romantic dinner and chocolate and flowers as much as the next girl, but I am sick of seeing all the hype and advertising. Because let’s face it—Hallmark doesn’t care about your warm-fuzzies and the jewelers don’t care about changing your life. They care about money.
It is nice to think that someone thought up the idea that there should be a national holiday to appreciate those special someones in our lives. But it’s gotten out of control.
First of all, too many women use Valentine’s Day as a competition. Who can get the most flowers or candy or desperately-entreating suitors? Who got the ring instead of the necklace?
Then there’s the other category. These are the people who forgot that Mr. Scrooge is only supposed to show up around Christmas. They’re the ones that can’t ignore the fact that they might not have a significant other to spoil or spoil them.
Either they end up sullen or they bad-mouth the entire holiday and spout crude or morbid jokes to make up for their lack of pink and red hearts and lace frills.
Of course there are people who fit at any point in between. I can’t say I’d be upset if I woke up to a room full of roses (I didn’t), but I couldn’t be upset if all I got was a paper valentine from a friend (I did).
I guess I just hate how the whole day typically feels like a chick flick or a marketing joke. But, I suppose that’s what happens when you let a greeting card company create a national holiday.
Katrina Styx is a student at UW-River Falls.