I'm Not Bitter, I Just Don't Like It
By misskatonic
@misskatonic (3723)
United States
January 25, 2007 10:16pm CST
I'll readily admit it: I am not a fan of Valentine's Day. I never have been, regardless of my relationship status. I'm one of those people who believes there doesn't need to be a day for people to do something special for each other or celebrate their relationship. And the origins of that much marketed day of cupids and small, addictive candies is hardly romantic.
I'm always accused of being bitter whenever I express disinterest or dislike of valentine's Day. Now, I am bitter about a few things, but not my relationship status. I like being single. I'm the easiest person to live with in that sense. I need my space and I'm very particular about things and I'm not the most affectionate of people. It takes a very special sort of person to deal with me in the romantic sense. And that's fine - helps me not waste time on pointless relationships.
But I digress. Where has this idea come from, this idea that if you aren't into Valentine's Day then you must be some bitter, heartbroken person mourning their miserable love life? Some people just don't go in for the Valentine's thing.
14 people like this
47 responses
@chaygylmommy (2470)
• United States
26 Jan 07
I could care less about Valentine's day, too. I mean, it's nice to have a day to celebrate love, but I am like you in that there shouldn't just be ONE day to celebrate that love! It is all marketing. I could care less if my husband gets me anything. Of course, it's nice to get a rose or some flowers or something, but I don't expect it and I don't get hurt if I don't get it. As far as candy goes...I could care less...don't get me wrong, I LOVE candy, but I don't need it and would so much rather get a card or a handwritten note from my hubby.
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
26 Jan 07
I don't know where it came from but I agree it is a foolish idea. I know for myself even when I ahve been in releationships that Valentine's day was nothing special. It was another date. For the most part though I've been alone most of my life on that day, as in I had no one to spend it with romantically. Does it make me upset? When I was a teenager yes but now? No. It's just a day. I don't get upset on Mother's day because I don't have a baby. It's just another day. Why worry about it. Some I guess though can't understand it. They want everyone to feel the same way about everything and if they don't well then there must be something wrong with them.
2 people like this
@dana234 (2114)
• Spain
26 Jan 07
I´ve been married for quite a few years and couldn´t care less for Valentine´s Day.
As you I also believe there shouldn´t be a special day to celebrate the affection you feel for your partner.
It´s just a commercial event in my opinion. Whenever I speak my mind though, people tell me that it´s because I´m probably not happy in my relationship.
So, there you go, I´m not single but people can´t understand why I´m not into the Valentine´s business.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
26 Jan 07
I don't think you're bitter. Valentine's Day isn't for everyone...especially this year when my Sweetheart decided to make a break for it!!!!! ;-(
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
30 Jan 07
Sweetheart re-appeared and explained everything. I guess I'm going to have a Valentine's Day this year afterall. ;-)
I still agree with you that Valentine's Day really isn't for everyone, and if someone has a problem with it, that's fine. They shoudln't be made to feel bad.
@deepak21 (2)
• India
26 Jan 07
love is a such a pure and most eternal feeling emotion and expression..that if felt..needs to be celebrated everyday..there is absolutely no point in reserving a particular day for it..without love there would be no life..so if u need to celebrate love u need to celebrate everyday of the life that the almighty has rendered you with.love is a feeling that is much above the materialistic thoughts like the candels,cupids and fancy things mentioned.moreover romance is an essence of love,which has to take birth in ones heart as love and then flow through the nerves as the reaction.i feel one beautiful flower(if needed)would be sufficient enough to express ones love..cause every creation in nature has a love component and there is no other better way one could express love by artificial show offs..
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
26 Jan 07
I'm not big on the Valentine's Day thing either, no matter what my relationship status. Personally I feel that if someone has to declare a holiday for you to do something nice for your mate, there's already something wrong with your relationship. Furthermore, each couple has their own little anniversaries and other special days for these types of things.
I think the idea that you're bitter is you don't like Valentine's Day is really just a part of a bigger stereotype: single equals bitter, or desperate, or heartbroken, etc. The whole idea that single people can be happy with their lives is one that isn't very popular. Society encourages everyone to live their lives by the same patterns, and those who don't fit into those patterns are ostracized.
I never have understood what's so darn romantic about some martyred saint anyways?
2 people like this
@14missy (3183)
• Australia
26 Jan 07
I think it is just an excuse for a holiday and marketing... In Australia it doesn't seem to be such a big occaission as in America but we are slowly creeping into anything that is all about marketing. Easter eggs etc are already out on the shelves over here...ridiculous. I think if you want to show someone you care, do it whenver the urge hits you not only on one day of the year.
1 person likes this
@spcbrass (1190)
• United States
26 Jan 07
Don't even get me started on this holiday! I am with you on this. Why do we need to have this one day every year where we show "love and affection" by giving out little heart shaped candies and flowers to the people who are important to us? People fall in love and are in love the other 364 days of the year as well. It is a mainstream holiday intended to make money for those in the candy, flower and card business.
Would I also be out of line if I said this holiday was geared more towards women then towards men? The gifts themselves, the "objects of affection" if you will are something that most women would want to receive and very few men would ever want to get. This holiday plays more on the wallet then on the emotions. Try showing some affection the other 364 days of the year. Guys send your girfriend flowers in the middle of June for no reason and she will be happier then if you sent her a dozen roses on Valentine's Day.
@inovator (603)
• Philippines
26 Jan 07
lol....you know were the same...ive also dont have an idea why they celebrate that valentines day?a corny thing for me...specially theire activities...like lovapalooza?if i am right....they were just wasting theire time....for that...because for me...you can improve your relationship without doing that itchy thing!
1 person likes this
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
26 Jan 07
I have been very happily married for nearly 47 years, so here is an opinion from someone in a different position.
We celebrate our love every day. Apart from a "Happy Birthday" on our birthdays, we don't do anything differently from other days. We have always said that every day is a birthday. We have all we need and we have each other.
Valentines Day? Who cares? We don't need a "lover's day" to celebrate our love. Of course, the shops do! Anything for commercial gain!
Young people probably see Valentines Day as an opportunity to further a relationship, but if they need something like that, there is something missing anyway.
Good for business, but not much else.
@nuffsed (1271)
•
26 Jan 07
I'm with you. If anything I am the original misery guts. I have become cynical about the whole circus of Christmas, Easter and Birthdays and Valentines. The whole consumer tickling till ringing nonsense that is riddled with insincerity and social poitics.
I've simply got too many relatives to be buying them all presents just because they happen to be born last Wednesday or next Tuesday. I try to go with, "its the thought that counts" and buy something inexpensive and thoughtful, but the look on the recipients' face says SKINFLINT!!
I'd much rather deal with people according to my emotions, rather than according to tradition that, lets face it, is more about trade and profits.
I'd much rather buy you flowers when I want to!
Cynical is well justified.
1 person likes this
@mikaghi (388)
• United States
26 Jan 07
me too. i don't like the "idea" if valentine's day.i mean u need a particular day to celebrate the people u love, u can do that any day u want. also it doesn't have to be only one day. i am sure the card companies are making tons of money out of this madness.
1 person likes this
@srlxmi (253)
• India
26 Jan 07
true...i've hrd that valentine's day ws popularised so much by the card n gift companies...u kno hw it is..pple goin crazy gettin cute stuff 4 their lovers...i'm not sayin its nt good...coz i lik egettin things 4 my guy too..butas u said there is actally nt need 4 a prticular day 4 expressin ur love...n yeah i dnt really wait 4 feb2give a card i feel lik e givin my guy..i jus give it..n 14th feb hs been jjus nthr day 4 me 4 many yrs..dnt really make a diff 2 me...
1 person likes this
@momokoseiya (453)
• United States
26 Jan 07
That isn't true at all. I have a significant other, and I hate Valentine's Day. I don't think that there should be one day a year where you do nice things for the one you love. It should be a 24/7, 365 thing. The fact that they commercialize love is rather sick in my opinion.
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
26 Jan 07
I don't think you have to be bitter to not enjoy Valentine's day. A lot of it seems pretty silly. But I'll take any excuse for a day to spend loving on my girlfriend and spoiling her just a little bit and enjoying a special time with her. But I don't just do that for Valentine's day... any holiday can be a special occasion. :)
1 person likes this
@xXmeganxX (4421)
•
26 Jan 07
hi there, there's nothing wrong and your not bitter all people are different in there own way, my boyfriend too doesn't celebrate valentines day, he says he doesn't see the point in having a special day for our relationship and that the only day what is speical in relationships is getting married! :)
1 person likes this
@jaizdeep (397)
• India
26 Jan 07
I think thats absolutely fine and normal there is nothing bitter about it...Some people fall in love with themselves and some people just wanna remain single so whats the harm??
I believe in living with te person i love and even i don't need a valentines...For me everyday spend with my love is a valentines day whether i may get happiness or pain it doesn't mater...Its just special being with her
So i guess its not about one specific day to me love doesn't come 1 out of 365 days we have in a year....so maybe i celebrate valentines day but i don't feel its compulsory to have one
And being single is just very normal many people like to be that way but it doesn't make them bitter or it doesn't mean that the person who doesn't celebrate valentines is heartbroken etc.
@ronita34 (3922)
• Canada
26 Jan 07
i have never really had a significant other when it cam to this day of love. I agree though that there should not be a specific day of the year to show that you love your partner. I think that you could do this another day of the year and with just as much meaning to it!
1 person likes this
@sassygrace (84)
• Philippines
26 Jan 07
i understand why you say that.. for me you have to treat each day a special if you have a partner but valentines day is like traditions that we can never leave behind... for some people it is special day to remember..cupid is an angel of love... like christmas that promotes peace and joy to kids.. valentines day promotes love for each other...
1 person likes this
