2008 Woodie Awards
Love of the Anti-Cupid
Kara Agostino
Issue date: 2/23/05 Section: Perspectives
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Valentine's Day has reared its ugly head once again. Just as any other year, February is the month that is filled with sappy hallmark commercials, fattening chocolates, stuffed animals, and the ultimately lame valentines. You know what I am talking about. Picture a card with a gorilla on the front of the card, and then on the inside is written: "I go ape for you." Since when in this society is being toothache sweet acceptable? In a world that is extremely pessimistic and cynical, I find it hard to believe that such a holiday is so widely acceptable.
I am the Grinch of Valentine's Day. I will admit it with no qualms. If it were up to me, I would sleep through the entire "holiday" (I am using this term loosely); however, it was not an option this year. Unfortunately, this year was no different. I was forced to wake up to the cheeriness of those with valentines with way too much pep, especially for a cold and wet Monday morning. Watching bouquets of roses being delivered seemed a bit much for this soggy, sappy day. People picked up packages while others hovered around their mailboxes in hopes of a card or two. Frankly, I am glad it is all over...
What started as something sweet and genuine has turned into a completely commercial day. Beforehand, it is almost unavoidable to dodge the corny commercials from jewelry stores and the occasional chocolate company. It is nearly impossible to not feel lonely or depressed if you did not receive chocolate or flowers from your significant other. If a person receives a card as a gift, society might easily misconstrue this nice gesture as a lack of effort. Consumers fill their shopping carts with candy hearts and dozens of long stemmed roses becoming part of the advertiser's plan. The entire day is a scam to make a quick buck off of the hopeless romantics of the world.
Valentine's Day reeks of disappointment and unfulfilled expectations. To expect something is expecting too much. It is all too common, not to mention stereotypical, to see girls depressed because "he" forgot the flowers or "she" could not take off time from work. Our society has inflicted upon us this idea that for some reason it is absolutely necessary and crucial to be wined and dined-it's not. It is just another day, except with crowded restaurants and cheesy poems.
The biggest problem I have with February 14 is that it is a day in which people celebrate the love they have for one another...one day. If people do love each other as much as they claim, then only one day should not be sufficient time to prove one's feelings. Romantic dinners and sweet gestures should be present year round and not just reserved for once a year. Valentine's Day should not be about proving your love by how much you spend or what you receive. Instead, for those of you lucky enough to have valentines, cherish what you have and make every day special.
I am the Grinch of Valentine's Day. I will admit it with no qualms. If it were up to me, I would sleep through the entire "holiday" (I am using this term loosely); however, it was not an option this year. Unfortunately, this year was no different. I was forced to wake up to the cheeriness of those with valentines with way too much pep, especially for a cold and wet Monday morning. Watching bouquets of roses being delivered seemed a bit much for this soggy, sappy day. People picked up packages while others hovered around their mailboxes in hopes of a card or two. Frankly, I am glad it is all over...
What started as something sweet and genuine has turned into a completely commercial day. Beforehand, it is almost unavoidable to dodge the corny commercials from jewelry stores and the occasional chocolate company. It is nearly impossible to not feel lonely or depressed if you did not receive chocolate or flowers from your significant other. If a person receives a card as a gift, society might easily misconstrue this nice gesture as a lack of effort. Consumers fill their shopping carts with candy hearts and dozens of long stemmed roses becoming part of the advertiser's plan. The entire day is a scam to make a quick buck off of the hopeless romantics of the world.
Valentine's Day reeks of disappointment and unfulfilled expectations. To expect something is expecting too much. It is all too common, not to mention stereotypical, to see girls depressed because "he" forgot the flowers or "she" could not take off time from work. Our society has inflicted upon us this idea that for some reason it is absolutely necessary and crucial to be wined and dined-it's not. It is just another day, except with crowded restaurants and cheesy poems.
The biggest problem I have with February 14 is that it is a day in which people celebrate the love they have for one another...one day. If people do love each other as much as they claim, then only one day should not be sufficient time to prove one's feelings. Romantic dinners and sweet gestures should be present year round and not just reserved for once a year. Valentine's Day should not be about proving your love by how much you spend or what you receive. Instead, for those of you lucky enough to have valentines, cherish what you have and make every day special.