Does anyone really like Valentine's Day?
I know my colleague opposite has used his space this week to wax poetically about Feb. 14.
But Jim has been married for ages, it's easy for him. Mrs. Nelson either tells him what she wants for Valentine's Day or, at this point, knows not to expect a Casanova.
But for the rest of us men, the single men, it's clearly a day that sets us up for failure.
Man, oh, man, do we have it tough.
While I'm courting a potential future Mrs. Radia, I have to think ahead and make reservations; I have to come up with a romantic gift idea; and then I have to be on my best behaviour at dinner. I have to be at the top of my game.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being a romantic. But Feb. 14 puts a lot of pressure on men.
And women - most of the ones I know, at least - end up being disappointed on V-Day.
They're let down by the fact that the vast majority of us fail to live up to the expectations that they develop in their minds by watching Hollywood movies and reading romance novels. Unfortunately, most of us can't live up to their George Clooney fantasies.
V-Day is also a difficult day for both men and women who don't have a significant other. Being alone on Valentine's Day, when it appears that everyone else is happy in love, sucks.
According to an Ipsos poll in the U.K., almost 10% of those under the age of 25 years feel depressed, insecure, inadequate or unwanted on Valentine's Day. I would propose that number is similar in Canada and much higher for higher age groups.
I think the only people who really like Valentine's Day are retailers. The average Canadian male spends $135.67 on a Valentine's Day gift - and note, that doesn't include the price of dinner.
Let's face it: Valentine's Day has become a commercial holiday that makes most of us feel inadequate and unhappy.
