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Celebrations of a Martyred Saint
Posted 14th February 2008 at 10:17am by M1ke, tagged as Mumbling | Commenting Closed

As most people should probably be aware (and as marketing executives have been gleefully been aware of for some time now) today is the much celebrated Valentine's Day. It would no doubt surprise either of the two St. Valentine's that were murdered back in Rome to learn that celebrations of their saint's day have gone from the basic "choosing of a mate" described in Geoffrey Chauser's Parlement of Foules through a massacre in Chicago to their worst state yet - the rather sickening grip of commercialism. Whilst it should little surprise me that any event for celebration in any faith, society or group of more than ten people will be jumped on by those who run the businesses (or "the man" as they seem to be collectively known), it rather amazes me how many people willingly buy into something that has basically been created as a commercial holiday, rather than just building one on top of something well established.

Despite Valentine's traditions going back hundreds of years I suspect it was used more as an excuse to be romantic in societies that tended to be a little more reserved than what we are graced with today. In these modern times I see no reason why there has to be a single day for these activities, other than that it gives restaurants forewarning to increase their prices and card companies time to charge you two quid for a picture of a bear. The whole idea of what is romantic is also up for debate here but I shall leave that to those perpetuating this, and applaud them if they can avoid the traditional or commercial activities expected of them and actually do something that they will mutually enjoy. Surely the essence of romance is to make someone feel special and how one achieves this through going along with everyone else is beyond me.

Of course it could be just cynicism and bile that grips me at this particular time, but I am unsure. Naturally any single person may get irked from time to time by the behaviour if couples, but what is more annoying than seeing couples being couples is seeing their ties being strained by the pressures of society. Some people aren't romantics, some people don't have or want to spend lots of money and some people will share my views of the holiday. Should two similar people be in a couple then the point is moot but if one partner expects more then suddenly we have a problem and it is a problem that neither deserves. Conflict for the sake of such a farce is detestable and I place the blame upon those in marketing and media responsible for dragging the whole thing into the open once a year.

In summation if you are in a couple then I'd urge you to treat this day as any other - you should always love each other, make each other feel special and explore the world together. There is no expectation upon you today. For those free and single amongst us this is just an ordinary day, whatever the shops want you to think.

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