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BlackChampagne -- no longer new; improvement also in question.: Valentine's Gift Giving



Thursday, February 15, 2007  

Valentine's Gift Giving


I was in Trader Joe's yesterday evening, and noticed to my bemusement that of the other male shoppers there, at least 75% were alone, and buying nothing but flowers, with perhaps candy or a card. In the twelve items or less line I was in, the three guys in front of me all had nothing but a bouquet (a cheap one with just one or two types of flowers, since that's the only kind TJ's sells) and a smile. Ahh, romance.

It occurred to me, while I observed, that V-day is really the only holiday when last minute shopping it not only acceptable, but encouraged. It's practical in one way; it isn't as if you can buy flowers a week in advance and wrap them and hide them in the back closet -- well you could, but your gift would not be received as warmly. You could try that with chocolate or a teddy bear or other such purchase, and at least a little advance planning is required to get anything more expensive and decorative, such as jewelry. But for the most part, men are expected to stop by a florist, or supermarket-based fascimile thereof, and pick up something colorful and fragrant and mortal for their beloved. Pity other holidays don't work like that, eh?

What if all you had to get your wife for Xmas was a live wreath of holly? Or a poinsettia in a shiny-wrapped pot? And you could pick it up on the evening of the 25th and pass it over without ceremony, and 1) know you'd done your duty, and 2) prepare to receive your sweet lovin'-based reward? Or if you could just get a card on the way home on her birthday, and that was all she ever really expected?

Of course that's all a lot of men do, and that's all a lot of women have learned to expect, but my point is that on V-day, supposedly the pinnacle of romance (in our US, Hallmark-skewed culture), it's perfectly acceptable to present a token of your affection that would land you in the doghouse for a month on other ceremonial occasions.

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Comments:

About 3-4 years ago I got my wife a new flat screen monitor for her comupter. She had one of those old boxes, on it's last legs, and the flat screen was a huge hit. It got me lots of kisses *hem*.

This year, it snowed alot the day before Valentines day and everything was closed. I didn't get her anything. She didn't care. I still got kisses.

Funny thing about Valentines day is that the guy is expected to go out and buy candy, flowers, or even something thoughtful (flat screen). But the girl does not have to get anything for the guy.

People, in the 21st century and the age of equality, is this fair???


 

I think the theory behind Valentine's Day equality is the same as Father's or Mother's Day. Every other day of the year is kid's day, and every other day of the year is husband's/boyfriend's day, in terms of who does more for whom.


 

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