My anti Valentine's Day sentiments are not because I am a bitter and single divorcee. I do believe in love and there is a romantic in me just not a roses and chocolate kind of romantic that must be acknowledged on a day that everyone tells me it should be acknowledged kind. And a quick google search tells me that I am far from alone or original in this thought. Scrolling back through this blog I actually say the same thing in Feb of 2012. But It needs to be said again coz the message just aint getting through.
In North America they celebrate it from a young age giving cards and candy to school friends. But in Australia they focus much heavier on the socially idealized version of romantic couple love. Does this not segregate a large portion of the population? Maybe it's because I am not a huge fan of flowers or chocolate that this day offends me as much as it does. What about hay fever sufferers and lactose intolerant or dieting people?! Cut flowers, whether bought for the inflated Valentine's prices or not, are pretty for a little while. But then they get smelly and die.
I cannot believe that Hallmark has managed to convince so many people world over that this is a legitimate celebration; cause for greeting cards, overpriced chocolates, flowers and flower shaped chocolates. Not to mention jewellery sales.
In North America they celebrate it from a young age giving cards and candy to school friends. But in Australia they focus much heavier on the socially idealized version of romantic couple love. Does this not segregate a large portion of the population? Maybe it's because I am not a huge fan of flowers or chocolate that this day offends me as much as it does. What about hay fever sufferers and lactose intolerant or dieting people?! Cut flowers, whether bought for the inflated Valentine's prices or not, are pretty for a little while. But then they get smelly and die.
There is a friend of mine who has turned up at my door with a single frangipani for me. It's sweet, even though I know he picked it up off the ground just outside my front door. Frangipani's only last a day or two so it's fitting because it's kinda representative of our relationship.
Another dear friend of mine once met me with plastic flowers delivered in the most unelegant, unromantic way possible. He gave me a little bouquet of yellow plastic flowers upturned in a little shopping bag as we met on the steps of town hall. But they are plastic, low maintenance and they will last forever. I like to think this is also representative of the relationship. I can't name names but he knows who he is.
Best metaphors-seen-in-gifts ever.
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