In today’s Financial Times, there is a short piece of news: “Love is around and that’s official”. It briefly reported about what was happening around, and unexceptionally, all about love.
If you have visited the Clinton shop during the last couple of weeks, you would probably be aware that sparkling decorations were around the shop. The Valentine’s cards have been listing on the shelves from late January, along with the Valentine’s gifts: cups, balloons, bear toys. You walk along the street, noticing that shops are offering “special discount” on jewelleries, restaurants are encouraging you to book a “romantic dinner” in advance. The world is sending you a message that you can enjoy a romantic Valentine’s day only if you spend money on these things, and that it is the only way lovers should spend that day.
Here raise the questions: Who actually benefits from Valentine’s day? You and your beloved? Or rather, the business man? What is Valentine’s day for? Roses? Romance? Or money?
The aura of Valentine’s day is changing. It used to be a simple day to express emotion, but it is not that simple any more. Advertisers try to persuade you to buy flowers, though roses are as twice expensive as they used to be. What is worse, it is yourself who accepts these advertisements, by considering flowers and chocolates to be essential, rather than the love expressions.
It is time to question how we celebrate Valentine’s day. My friend Chris said she would never treat it as a special day since “it is too commercial.” Love does not mean endless buying on a particular day, but to tell the people you love that you love them.
