Share Your World January 31st 2023
Valentine’s Day is on its way. It is not a holiday I celebrate. More than not celebrating it, I resent it. It’s the ultimate in “greeting card” events. For obscure reasons, it has become such a ridiculously big deal, if you don’t have a date or “something special” going on for Valentine’s Day, your relationship is considered a failure.
So, let me get this straight. You’re married. You’re happy. Your faithful husband of many years forgets to make reservations at an upscale restaurant or doesn’t buy you a fantastic bouquet, jewelry or whatever you had in mind as “the” romantic gift du jour. What do you do?
- Collapse in a heap of wailing and tears?
- Bedevil your mate with recriminations for his failures at romance and wonder why this doesn’t improve the relationship?
- Call a lawyer to start the divorce?
- Find someone more romantic with whom you can have the kind of romance you lack at home?
Really? Seriously? It’s just a greeting card holiday. You don’t need to get crazy. If your relationship is good, be happy and shut up about the holiday.
And now, this week’s questions:
Do you consider yourself to be romantic?
Not really. Garry is more sentimental than romantic. He likes romantic movies, flowers, and old memories. He was romantic when we were courting but that was long ago.
We are both sentimental about our past, but I’m not sure that’s romantic. It’s certainly pleasant, but romantic?
Do you send cards on Valentine’s Day?
No.
Would you spend a considerable amount of money on a single red rose for your beloved?
No. If I’m going to spend money, I’d rather spend it on something he wants and might be able to use. I’m not against spending money. I’m against wasting it. I suppose that’s not very romantic, though I’m not sure why spending a lot of money for something useless and fading is romantic. Maybe you just need to have a lot more money than me?
What is your idea of a romantic evening?
A good movie and a good meal, preferably one I didn’t have to cook. Maybe add a few special friends with whom to share memories.
Differences Between Sentimental and Romantic
Webster defines “sentimental” as relating to emotions rather than reason and “romantic” as relating to love between two people. Sentimentalism is a softer, more inward emotion that can apply to any experience. Feeling sentimental is also a mood booster and can give you “a sense of being rooted, a sense of meaning and purpose — instead of being blown around by the whims of everyday life.”
On the other hand, romantic feelings are centered in the present. Being romantic carries an implied expectation of action. You can feel romantic, but it is an intense experience, not unlike the rush of anticipation when you fall in love.
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Categories: #SYW, Anecdote, Love, Relationships, Romance, Share My World
SERENDIPITY: SEEKING INTELLIGENT LIFE ON EARTH 
Excellent response Marilyn, in my area valentine day is strongly condemned
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I dislike the entire concept. It makes love maudlin.
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Yes, absolutely right, xo😌💕
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I couldn’t agree more. Valentine’s Day is a silly holiday and probably the most commercial of all. Greeting cards are ridiculously expensive nowadays and there is not much choice either. It’s either Hallmark sentimentality or slightly off humour. I still haven’t got over seeing a Christmas card with the F word on it. People do give flowers and send cards on Mother’s Day here, mostly Chrysanthemum’s seem to be the thing for some reason. It’s also become a very commercial holiday. Those ads telling you to buy mum a household appliance for Mother’s Day always annoyed me. Fine if she wanted one of course.
I am not romantic but I am sentimental.
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Love is fine, but when love is nothing but a commercial gimmick, something is really wrong with the way we see our lives. I’m pretty sure most mothers don’t want a household appliance for mother’s day. If flowers were ever appropriate, that’s when.
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Love your answers Marilyn. Hubby buys me flowers any time because he thinks I might like some (like today, red carnations). I find prices are ridiculous and the mass produced cards to choose from sloppy, slushy or dire. More cash to the card manufacturers.
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Garry also buys me flowers just because he knows I like them, so when we aren’t broke, he buys me bouquets. I think the cards are not worth the price.
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Some are expensive
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Yes, but at least they aren’t just a piece of paper. I figure if I want a card, I’ll make one.
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I liked your response Marilyn 😀
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Thanks Cee. I can usually wrap my head around most holidays, but not v-day. To me, it’s just fake.
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Great answers. 👌 My husband and I sometimes treat ourselves to the m&s dine in for two (as we actually enjoy the food they offer and do buy it sometimes as a treat if it’s on at other timesof the year too). Restaurants, florists, etc charging twice the price for the same thing you can buy your loved one a week later, that’s consumerism, not love. I’ve been in love with my husband for longer than I care to remember and don’t need a particular day to remind me. KL ❤️
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Yup. If your relationship is based on a stupid fake holiday, it’s not much of a relationship. I’ve been in love with Garry for a solid 50 years. These days we don’t eat out much because the prices are ridiculous and the food isn’t very good, either. That’s one of the problems of living in the boonies — the good restaurants are not here. They are all in Boston or Providence.
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Great answers Marilyn.
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We’ve forgotten many holidays which had a purpose and real meaning but elevated silly holidays like Valentine’s Day. The only thing V-Day is good for is selling greeting cards and flowers and I’m sure a little advertising could make greeting cards sell better on other holidays — especially if they would lower the prices. It can cost as much as $10 for ONE card these days! I’m good with the flowers, but seriously? How about more great card for other holidays — like, say, Halloween, New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and Memorial Day when no one sends cards or gives flowers.
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Oh yes, it become so commercialized now.
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