Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that comes and goes every year, just with a splash more of pink and red around it. As a “Hallmark holiday,” Feb. 14th always seemed to be another excuse to spend money, and if you’re in a relationship, you’re almost coerced to do so.
What kind of partner would you be if you didn’t get your significant other a little gift, plan a special dinner date or wake them up with flowers and breakfast in bed?
Like most holidays these days, it’s hard to not be cynical about the sketchy intentions of companies who benefit from a day like Valentine’s Day. In a capitalist—some would even say hyper-capitalist—country like the U.S., this holiday is a gold mine for brands that are able to offer a heart-shaped variation of their usual products. Do you think they care about love and the spirit of the day? No. They want you to empty those pockets as a good boyfriend, wife or side piece should.
Some of my classmates weren’t convinced. They are under a spell that this enchanted holiday is actually a good opportunity to be romantic and treat a partner, or even friends, to something special. Doing it on an ordinary day would be too much, I suppose.
To test my interpretation and gauge whether my worldview is unique—or the conventional wisdom—my classmates and I sought to ask other campus dwellers what they think of the god-forsaken holiday.
“It’s fake just like the other holidays,” Chance said, cooly leaning on a Village couch. “Sure I’m doing something with my girl but the holiday itself doesn’t mean anything.”
The look of shock on my classmates’ faces was irreplicable. They weren’t convinced, however, and we wanted to gather more sources.
“It feels like it’s all for show now,” Duke said. Sitting with his three other friends, the quartet nodded in agreement.
He continued, “You have to buy the gifts and go to the restaurant just to get a post on Instagram about it.”.
“The burden also falls on the man in the relationship,” Blake, sitting just across from Duke, beckoned towards us. “The whole holiday just runs our pockets and what do we get in return?”
The consensus wasn’t totally cynical in the “overreaching market” kind of mindset I was thinking of, but there was certainly a feeling of injustice that surrounded the coveted love-filled holiday.
There was one romantic in the group, but his stance made a hell of a lot more sense once he revealed he was from London.
“I think it’s nice. You can take out a nice girl on a date and have an excuse to share that kind of time together,” Chris said. “I remember I took a girl I was seeing in New York to a cozy restaurant for Valentine’s Day. It was a great experience and I value it.” Chris said.
A smile grew wide across his face, indicating he was reminiscing in real-time right in front of us.
The next group up was one of all girls. They were quick to point out that they weren’t against the holiday and thought it was whatever. They were, however, still participating in the money laundering scheme by going out with their friend group on a girl’s brunch. I told them that they were still falling victim to the capitalist trick, but they didn’t seem to mind as much as I did.
More people were open to my manifesto on holidays in this country and I was genuinely surprised to hear it. I think my classmates learned more of a lesson in not putting so much faith in a holiday that sucks money out of people’s pockets with the air of being an innocent, joy-filled day celebrating “love” …whatever that is.
This article is part of a special column series for Valentine’s Day 2022 and was created in Prof. Miki Turner’s JOUR 431: Feature Writing course. Visit the Valentine’s Wishes page to view more perspectives on the holiday of love (or lack thereof).