| On the subject of Valentine's Day |
[Feb. 14th, 2008|09:40 am] |
So. Everyone else and their mom is making Valentine's Day posts. Some enjoy celebrating the day as a time to show those loved ones in your life, friends, family, and lovers alike, how much you care for them. Others prefer to openly scorn the day and those who celebrate it, for one reason or another. This post is more directed at the latter than the former.
For full disclosure: I'm married. I love my wife greatly, but I also love my friends and family, and wish them all a happy Valentine's day, as it should be.
Now, on to the ranty bits.
I've heard Valentine's day lambasted as a day invented for or degenerated into blind consumerism, I've heard complaints that it's a day unfair to single people, and a few arguments in between too. I don't understand these viewpoints, especially from people who enjoy celebrating, say, Easter or Christmas.
For some reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_day
Valentine's Day was originally 11 different Valentine's Days, until 1969. The day exists to honour Christian martyrs by the name of Valentine, and has evolved into a day associated with love. I, personally, see no problem with such a thing - I do believe the Christian doctrine fairly clearly states that we should love one another, so associating love with a Christian holiday is only too fitting.
The beginning and evolution of this holiday is much in keeping with the histories of other such Christian holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, celebrating or honouring a significant event in Christian history and growing to involve traditions around the purchase of gifts for those you care about. You would almost expect those who hate the day for its consumerism to also hate these other holidays, however I don't often see that link - people seem to focus on the 'consumerism' of Valentine's Day but forget the other days, which leads me to believe that their true 'beef' with the day leans more towards the 'unfair to single people' angle, and the consumerism rant is just a cover; at least for those people I know personally.
For those who actually, honestly, and truly hate the day for its consumerism, and thus likely hate the other holidays as well for the same reason, why can't you just take the day at its face value, and use it as an excuse to tell your friends and family how much they mean to you? Abolish those negative feelings and turn it into something happy and positive. You don't like the consumerism? Then don't buy anything, but call up your mom or dad, siblings, best-friend-since-high-school, or whatever, and tell them how much they mean to you.
Now, those of you who feel it's unfair to single people, I have two counter-arguments for you.
One, as I'm sure you've probably heard before, hinges around the 'day to celebrate friends and family' bit I've mentioned above. So you don't have a 'significant other'; that doesn't mean you can't have a blast with your friends, or at least use today as an excuse to get them a little chocolate or something; let them know they're appreciated. Don't focus so much on the 'romantic love' aspect of the day.
Secondly, if you insist on focusing on the 'romantic love' aspect, don't let it bother you so much. Hindu holidays shouldn't bother you if you're not Hindu. National Talk Like a Pirate Day shouldn't bother you if you aren't (or are?) a pirate. Why on earth do you let the romantic aspect of Valentine's Day bother you if you're not in a romantic relationship? Every national celebration doesn't need to celebrate something YOU have, or something YOU are. Let people have their day - it'll be over tomorrow, and hey - you can go buy discount chocolate at the grocery store if you're fast enough. Win-win.
So, in summary, I hate being ranty, but stop picking on Valentine's Day. It doesn't deserve it, and hasn't done anything to you. Be an adult about it, and just have a good day. |
|
|
contemplative
chipper