Valentine's Day: a day for some quality time?

V-day - a time for sweet student love or just another day?

Any occasion where you're obliged to venture out into town to be met by a swarm of sickly couples, dine on an overpriced menu, and get financially shafted in the name of undying love is not one to be celebrated. And this only applies to those lucky enough to have someone with which to partake in these festivities.

Being single during my first February 14th of university, it seemed like the best option was to go out and get plastered. Driven by the desire to temporarily forget about my loneliness, the only difference between this and a normal night out was the sudden importance of netting some slosher for the evening. On one day each year, this loneliness is exacerbated by mates comparing and complaining about the various means by which their partners were coercing them into spending time together, whilst I sat there contemplating where the girls from St John’s were likely to be on a Wednesday night. It was Tru by the way. Anyhow, this defeats the point of the day surely? Two years on, and in a long-term relationship, my negative opinions remain intact, only a bit more rational.

For me, being a student at the same university as my girlfriend makes Valentine’s Day an almost redundant concept. Ask people in the same boat as me what they're doing for it; “We’re going to watch Revolutionary Road”. Wow, that's throwing something new into the mix! Then you get the rebels who say, “We’re not going out, we’re cooking something at home”. So you are effectively just spending the evening together. As opposed to the myriad of other nights during term where you both have nothing to do, and the 10-minute walk between your houses seems just too much of an insurmountable task. Then some smart-arse will go “I’m surprising her by taking her to the spa for the day” - well now that's just plain ridiculous. And there's one surprise you now cannot use when her 21st comes round next month. Idiot.

I suppose what I’m getting at here is that most couples I know at York see each other plenty, so the prospect of spending time together on Valentine’s Day is not really that special - which is where my aforementioned rationality kicks in. If a couple were in different cities, or were snowed under with work most weeknights, or simply busy with everyday familial duties, I’m sure they would appreciate one predetermined evening where they could take the time out from their usual routine and spend it together. In this sense, the notion of Valentine’s Day is perhaps not so bad after all.

Similarly, if you’re a male in the early stages of a new relationship, it is (unfairly I concur) an opportunity to shine. Shower her with thoughtful gifts, display your support for what is popularly regarded as an occasion for women, and maybe she will eventually lend her support to a proposed similar occasion for men. “Ooh, but it’s so commercial!” someone cries - so is Christmas, and that doesn’t get such a hard ride. V-day’s mixed reputation ultimately boils down to the discriminatory financial burden placed on men, the exclusivity of ‘couples only’ participation, and the consequent mild insecurity felt by those who are single.

Cynical digs aside, in the grand scheme of things perhaps Valentine’s Day isn’t completely redundant. Is there anything so wrong about spending time and money on someone you like? Back in the day, my answer to that would have been a resounding yes.

My current negativity stems from being spoilt by the fact I live 15 minutes away from my girlfriend. So to those people who are off visiting or are looking forward to the arrival of a special someone this weekend, I nod my head in subtle endorsement of your February fervour.

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