Do you believe in Valentine's Day?

[Mr Allen]

Topic.

I used to many moons ago, my ex even sort of proposed to me on Valentine's Day 1991 (I was 14 going on 15 at the time and said no).

26 years later I'm more cynical and believe the whole Valentine's thing is a ploy from card shops to con people into buying cards and gifts between Christmas and Easter.


How about you lot?

 

[OkRad]

Sure. It makes a lot of people happy.

It does not make me sad anymore when I think of all the relationship troubles I am avoiding.

My brother shot it to me straight. He said 50% (at least) of marriages fail. And of those still together, many of them are not happy.

That set me straight right good. That means if I am happy even 50% of the time, I am doing OK. It's more like 25% but I am working on that.

 

[Bolletje]

Nope. I got a big bouquet of roses once when I was sixteen, from my then-boyfriend. That was nice, because it was completely unexpected. I don't do Valentine's Day, I prefer gifts and romantic gestures to be spontaneous. Luckily my boyfriend feels the same.

 

[toothless]

i dont understand valentines day,why do people need one specific holiday to tell someone they love them when they can do that at any time of the year?
i tell my cat,my fish and my rabbits i love them to bits all the time and do special things for them.

 

[Judge]

Believe? You lost me there.

Funny though to recall that participating in making some kind of Valentines Day greeting was mandatory in a few early years of grade school.

As an adult I suppose if I held stock in Hershey or Mondelez it would have some $ignificance to me, as would Halloween and Christmas. Or if I had a stake in a dental practice.

Though IMO people don't need a specific day to tell someone they care about another. If they do, their relationship may be on shaky ground.

 

[Mr Allen]

i dont understand valentines day,why do people need one specific holiday to tell someone they love them when they can do that at any time of the year?
i tell my cat,my fish and my rabbits i love them to bits all the time and do special things for them.

Explanation of Valentine's Day

 

[toothless]

Explanation of Valentine's Day

thankyou!

 

[4gottenLoreKali]

Forgive me, but I'm not sure what you mean by "believe in". Valentine's Day is on the calendar and people recognize it with parties and what not, so I guess I believe in it. Although some people think that Valentine's Day is a conspiracy formulated by the Hallmark company to increase business for their greeting cards, which always got a good chuckle out of me.

But do I believe that I'll find love this Valentine's Day? If past holidays are any indication, not really. Who knows though, I'm open to miracles happening.

 

[xudo]

This is going to make me sound really pedantic. You technically can't "not believe" in Valentine's day..because it exists. It's like people who say "I don't believe in abortion" welp I have some bad news for you, it exists. You can not agree with abortion but yeah, anyway.

We used to do stuff for Valentine's, usually go have a meal and get each other cards and all that jazz. As we've been together longer I'm like, you know what, don't waste your money. We'll probably get a takeaway and play a video game together. If he does get me flowers, he knows to go the day after, because all the flowers are ridiculously cheap and I think it's great if he can get a £15 bouquet for £2 There's a big cuddly teddy in Sainsbury's for Valentines at the moment, and I've told him to keep an eye on it (I have a real thing for soft cuddly toys) as they're £20 full price (rip off) but they'll be reduced Wednesday and I WANT ONE. (It's a panda in a bow tie )

 

[OkRad]

I find it interesting that a lot of us had trouble with the world "believe". We have to believe it because it exists. And "believing in it" does not simplify things because it is not something like a system or faith. So that one word got complicated! NTs would laugh, no?

 

[xudo]

thankyou!

The real reason for Valentine's these days is to sell lots of crap. If you don't buy said crap for your significant other, you are a terrible human being and you obviously don't love them.

 

[xudo]

I find it interesting that a lot of us had trouble with the world "believe". We have to believe it because it exists. And "believing in it" does not simplify things because it is not something like a system or faith. So that one word got complicated! NTs would laugh, no?

I actually sort of skimmed the responses before I posted and hadn't realised that pretty much everyone pointed out the same thing I did

NT's probably would laugh, as I imagine the vast majority would not have even given it a second thought!

 

[Bolletje]

This is going to make me sound really pedantic. You technically can't "not believe" in Valentine's day..because it exists. It's like people who say "I don't believe in abortion" welp I have some bad news for you, it exists. You can not agree with abortion but yeah, anyway.

We used to do stuff for Valentine's, usually go have a meal and get each other cards and all that jazz. As we've been together longer I'm like, you know what, don't waste your money. We'll probably get a takeaway and play a video game together. If he does get me flowers, he knows to go the day after, because all the flowers are ridiculously cheap and I think it's great if he can get a £15 bouquet for £2 There's a big cuddly teddy in Sainsbury's for Valentines at the moment, and I've told him to keep an eye on it (I have a real thing for soft cuddly toys) as they're £20 full price (rip off) but they'll be reduced Wednesday and I WANT ONE. (It's a panda in a bow tie )

See, that's my brand of romance. Takeout and gaming together.

 

[xudo]

See, that's my brand of romance. Takeout and gaming together.

It's what we do every wedding anniversary. Always used to be co-op Halo...until Halo 5 removed split screen

 

[Judge]

I find it interesting that a lot of us had trouble with the world "believe". We have to believe it because it exists. And "believing in it" does not simplify things because it is not something like a system or faith. So that one word got complicated! NTs would laugh, no?

LOL... yep, we're having an Aspie moment here.

To me, the mere fact that something- anything technically/physically exists is not a prerequisite for either belief or disbelief. Water exists, but I have neither belief or disbelief in it. Just like Valentines Day.

Quite honestly I think a more appropriate adjective to use in such a context would be "observe" or "celebrate". Not "believe".

Do I observe or celebrate Valentines Day? Uh, no.

 

[Bolletje]

It's what we do every wedding anniversary. Always used to be co-op Halo...until Halo 5 removed split screen

Haha, nice! For us it's usually pizza and Borderlands

 

[xudo]

Haha, nice! For us it's usually pizza and Borderlands

Oh god, we've played so much Borderlands!

 

[umbrellabeach]

I don't care about Valentine's Day itself, but I like the day after when all the candy is marked down.

 

[Southern Discomfort]

Never had a girlfriend let alone one on Valentine's. I can't wager in on if I 'believe' in it or not. My cousin hate Valentine's because it's a heavy reminder for him of the pain he feels in wanting a girlfriend but simply not being able to get one and feels it's just a way for sociality to shove it in the faces of those who don't have dates. Me on the other hand have just never felt ready to have one or thought that people would like to go out with me. Now I'm questioning my sexuality and I'm wondering if I could even do the physical act of love with someone I don't find sexually attractive. That's, well, it's rubbish but I'm more or less happy at the moment. I'll try the dating thing when I'm ready and I'll see what goes on from there.

I'm not sure if couples need another period in the year to celebrate their love for each other when there's birthdays, Christmas and New Year's and relationship anniversaries.

 

[OkRad]

Actually think of valentine's day as a day to do something out of the ordinary. Celebrate it usually in some unconventional way, might go snowshoeing and have coffee and sandwiches at a place we like to go.

The concept itself is a welcome break from the usual, toward the end of a long, cold, two months of winter. Where every day seems the same. It marks the the near ending of winter, more sun, less darkness and slightly warmer temperatures.

Once found a cache of saved valentines cards that my spouse's grandfather sent to his wife, many are dated early in the twentieth century, and she saved them all. Seemingly they express the sentiments of the time, which seem peculiar to me:

How could a mere lad- In his blundering way, Select the right gift for a maid? A poor excuse? Tis all I can make. For the one I am sending to you.​

To my sweetheart, I'm dreaming of someone that I love, Someone I hope loves me, too. If you could peak (it's actually spelled that way) into my heart you'd know That someone is YOU.

Game of Hearts: Spread the hearts upon the table, It is a game divine, I'll win yours if I am able, My darling Valentine.
​

These are so cute!! My mom had a box of Valentines in an very old box she made out of cardboard and it was shaped like a heart. I am going to try to find it. I will upload if I do!