Why do some people freak out over Valentines Day?

[Woggle]

I am taken now but when I was single I didn't even sweat Valentines Day. It was just another day to me. I am not Jewish so I don't worry about passover just like I am not Muslim so I don't worry about Ramadan. Why not let happy couples have their day?

[Ruby Slippers]

If you're single and lonely, it's a big fat reminder that nobody loves you romantically, which is sad.

 

Personally, I'm pleased that even though I was single this year, I still made sure to go on a nice date and do some self-loving things - rose bubble bath, girlie stuff, box of chocolates for myself.

 

It's supposed to be about love - love for yourself, friends, family, your cat

[carhill]

Beyond the commemoration of the martyr Valentinus who died on February 14, it's a day to commemorate courtship and love of the romantics; for those so positioned, it's a day of celebration. For most of us, we've had our day, or perhaps many. Personally, I'm happy for those who find the day to be one of celebration of their love. Love is a wonderful feeling, word and action. So is life, as demonstrated by the patron saint of the day.

 

Obviously, people have differing views. When one feels 'freaky', there's generally an impetus, often from fear or sadness. Does that rule them? There's always a choice.

[MrCastle]

The difference with comparing it to holidays is every religious group has their holidays. You may be Jewish and see Christmas being heavily commercialized, but at the end of the day, you have Chanukah.

 

Single people don't have their own holiday to celebrate singledom. You have to watch couples get lovey dovey to the point of cheesy nausea and that's that.

 

Also, in mainstream society, single life is still taboo. The belief is if you're single, there must be something wrong with you. Which is why most girls I know can't stay single for more than two months. They cave to society's pressure.

[tbf]

No idea why people freak out. When single, it didn't bother me either.

[ThaWholigan]

Social engineering.

[tbf]

Should add the qualifier that I enjoyed being single too so maybe that's the difference.

[Ruby Slippers]

I can't say I've ever been bummed about because I was single on V Day. But I get why people do.

 

I get more bummed out around Christmas, since that's supposed to be all about family togetherness - and watching a movie at home by myself is usually more fun than spending the holidays with my crazy family

[melodymatters]

I never freaked either but I DO understand; the CONSTANT REMINDERS in every store, every commercial, every friend who is making plans.

 

Intellectually, bah, who cares, another made up by merchants holiday to separate us from our $$$$, As a real girl, with real girl feelings, it is the LAST in a STRING of holidays where most people would like to have a partner by their side : Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and then finally the dreaded V-day.

 

Easter, 4th of July and Halloween are NOT necessarily family/partnered holidays. ( I realize the above was very USA centric )

 

BTW, since we ditched cable and went to Netflix, Hulu and the like, I didn't realize until yesterday that we had missed over a MONTH of " You suck if you don't buy your GF/wife a diamond heart pendant on this day" commercials ! H and I were at the mall ( my first time in years, and we watched the sweating panicking guys picking up heart covered bags of whatever) I always feel bad for guys on V-day that there is SO much pressure on them !

[Mrlonelyone]

For me, it goes back to deep childhood hurt. I can clearly remember in like 3rd or 4th grade how the whole class made little valentines out of construction paper, glue and glitter and gave them to eachother. Yet when I gave to a girl who's name I don't even remember, they reacted like it was the nastiest thing possible.

 

Every valentines day since then that I have attempted to give a valentine, up until this one just passed, that was the response.

 

It felt so good to be able to give to someone and have them take it as the token it is. (I tear up as I write.)

 

I don't care what I get too much, the thanks and real satisfaction of the receiver is the greatest gift to me.

 

In generality, what gets some of us upset about Valentines day is the fact that we never seem to have someone to give to and receive from on that day. It's like you get rejected, and rejected, or are just unlucky at love in other ways,...and then a day to remind you how rejected and/or unlucky you have been.

[Anela]

I didn't freak out this year, but my sister, who seems to think that I am jealous of her, smugly congratulated me the other night for having no-one important in my life. She just doesn't understand that I don't want HER marriage, her life, and that I have friends.

 

It's rarely hurt me, and mainly between the years 2008 and 2011. A year ago, I was too busy watching the Gilmore Girls to care (actually, now that I remember, I cried earlier in the day, but over a few things). I've never thought that having a man is the be-all and end-all, and always wondered why there was the constant pressure to date and get married, when so many people seem to be miserable. When you're feeling lonely, though - when that hits you - it's awful. I was in the bookstore and everyone seemed to be paired up. The arms around each other, the Sunday night Valentine's date with the one they love, hand-holding from other couples, or the man's hand on the back of the woman.

Edited February 16, 2013 by Anela

[TouchedByViolet]

I don't "freak out" but it can make me feel like I am missing someone. One of my favorite parts in life is romantic love, it gives me an incredible high. Simple as that.