WEI HANN / COLLEGIATE TIMES
I am sure that we are all aware of holidays that are not universally celebrated. There are those who do not celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Easter or Ramadan. Coming up, though, is Valentine's Day — and it’s safe to say that not everyone will be celebrating that. What I’m wondering, though, is why anyone needs to celebrate it?
Related: This is one of eight columns written for Valentine's Day 2011. Check out all the writers: Sara Brickman, Jason Campbell, Owen Davis, the Editorial Board, Noor Khalidi, Ben Woody, and Shelby Vasko and Jen Underwood.
This day is put aside for everyone in a relationship to celebrate their commitment to each other, but, isn’t that what anniversaries for? Is there any reason you don’t recognize your significant other at least once every few days?
I’m not saying I have a problem with couples being happy — I think it’s great. I’m just wondering why people need another day to be told to recognize that they are in a relationship. Don’t you know you’re in a relationship? Are you not aware of your boyfriend or girlfriend every other day of the year?
Valentine's Day bastardizes relationships. It sends out the message that this day, of all days, is when you should be crazy about your partner and proclaim your love to the world. It’s all a bunch of crap, really. If you’re dating, don’t you recognize it every day? I mean, you have to be an idiot not to.
Sure, I can see how nice and romantic it is to take someone out on Valentine's Day to enjoy each other’s company and reminisce about the past year, months or days. But again, isn’t that what anniversaries are for?
Maybe it’s because I’m single and I just don’t care, but even in the past when I’ve been dating on this “holiday” it just hasn’t meant anything. It’s a holiday I cannot understand to save my life.
We joke about how it’s just a huge scam by the card companies and candy makers, how it’s a big scheme to just make everyone pay for useless and almost meaningless things — but really, isn’t that what Valentine's Day is about?
I wouldn’t hesitate to say that most people follow along with Valentine's Day out of a feeling of obligation. If you are dating, you have to do something on this day — of all days. This is when you go to dinner, buy some flowers, sign a card and wear somewhat decent clothing. So then, what’s the big deal? What has prompted this major “holiday” into existing?
A version of this article appeared in the Feb 11 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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Hey buddy, no need to get jealous because other people are enjoying themselves and their significant others on a day other than their Anniversary. Isn't an anniversary just another day out of the year as well? Therefore, your argument for "enjoying your relationship every day instead of just one" makes no sense. I'm sorry for the bad breakup that you experienced, because it has left a lasting impression. Most people like having an excuse to buy flowers, chocolate, and cheap stuffed toys for someone that they have feelings for, and most people enjoy receiving these gifts as well. Also, 'Bastardize?' Really? Come on dude. Yea that makes a lot of sense. People who celebrate valentines day really take their relationship to a new low. . . do you read what you write on your computer before you send it in or was this one of those "lets fill in this blank section of CT before printing time" kinda articles. Anyways, keep your head up, someday you will find something that you are in love with and will maybe fall in love with valentines day once again. love, Your Cupid!
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I get laid way more than you and am currently in a relationship. Valentines Day is as shallow and commercial as it gets. Leave the guy alone, he has a lot of good points.
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Valentine's day should be called "I'm in a Relationship Brag Day". :)
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I've been in a relationship for well over 2 years. V Day is exactly this - an excuse to brag to others that you're in one. Your anniversary is what's special and should mean something to you. Not some made up BS holiday strictly in existence for the profit of restaurants, card companies, and the manufacturer of red dye #8.
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Valentine's day was created mainly to entice the consumer to spend more money. It's a retail "holiday." Other than that, a couple should not need someone or something to tell them when to exchange cheap gifts and stale chocolates; they can do that on their anniversaries...
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with that logic, Christmas is bastardizing Christianity. your so full of crap
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If you believe that commercialized Christmas is what jesus had in mind then you are deluded. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Clearly he did not expect his followers to go out and buy expensive presents every year.
Yes, you're rich. Enjoy eternal Damnation!
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Santa is an idol that ruins this beloved holiday every year. Christmas is a holiday about material possessions not the birth of the son of God.
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