Is Valentine's Day Is Over-commercialized?

[nokia]

Valentine's day marks the start of spring-time love with the exchange of gifts. But why do we do this? Some would say to express our love for others, but others would say it's due to an over-abundance of advertisements. What do you think? To celebrate Valentine's Day, do you go out for dinner in LOS?

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There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.

In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very commercialised.

Valentine's Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.

[astral]

Totally commercialised.

Look at the price of a rose, compared to any other day of the year.

Just TELL her/him that you love them.

Or send a simple card to someone you dare not speak to.

That is all that is needed.

Sex has nothing to do with it at all.

[thaibebop]

Of course it is. What isn't?

[Chang_paarp]

It is the excuse for a sale between christmas and easter.

The food industry loves it, it is like an extra Saturday night.

It is prime season for the florists and couriers.

Any other meaning.....no

[thaibebop]

It is the excuse for a sale between christmas and easter.

The food industry loves it, it is like an extra Saturday night.

It is prime season for the florists and couriers.

Any other meaning.....no

Here in America we get to have St.Paddy's Day before Easter. So, the companies really clean up before summer hits.

[Michael W]

Yep, I ran right over to Foodland to get my girlfriend a small box of chocolates, but because she's so benoak she insisted on eating them with a large bottle of Leo.....resting on an overturned plastic bucket of course.

[robitusson]

Yes.

[britmaveric]

Bit obvious - though I think every holiday is a bit too comercialized.

[tavarich]

Totally commercialised.

Look at the price of a rose, compared to any other day of the year.

Just TELL her/him that you love them.

Or send a simple card to someone you dare not speak to.

That is all that is needed.

Sex has nothing to do with it at all.

Your braver than me I would be in the dog house if I tried that.

[raro]

according to Mrs. raro, it could be much more commercial...

[backflip]

Guy's not in a relationship celebrate palm Sunday...

[Gazza]

For Valentines Day and my wife's birthday I tell her that the most a person can give to another, is themselves.

So I offer myself to her and for those two days she gets to use or abuse me as she sees fit.

Only with one stipulation though......I don't do dishes.

[Thaising]

Without commercialization there will no materialism.

[Hello Kitty]

Yes, It is so commercial. I don't like it.

I told my husband every year, I told him I don't want flower, gift or card.

Just tell me you love me or give me a kiss.

[nokia]

In LOS, do thai wives generally expect something special from their expat husbands on V day even though it's a borrowed western custom?

Your braver than me I would be in the dog house if I tried that.

Yes, It is so commercial. I don't like it.

I told my husband every year, I told him I don't want flower, gift or card.

Just tell me you love me or give me a kiss.

That's practical and your husband can show his love on the other 364 days.

[marquess]

Not for me, as I never spend a penny on it! Love is free! If you really want to honour the day, then do so by going to church and praying for your loved ones, and that everyone else might learn to love each other.

[leftcross]

on the same tack, i noticed lots of western men carrying flowers about on the sky train today. is it just me or do they all look like complete p o o f s? men in suits carrying roses?!?!?! sad muppets.

[stumonster]

my heart shaped silicone breasts tell me yes - i love to live my life with marketing drones telling me what i should be doing.

as for all those singers of of soppy valentine songs... are they borderline just boring cnuts or psycopathic stalkers?

live your own life and be romantic when you whim....

[drbones666]

Of course it's over commercialized. EVERYTHING is over commercialized. Companies with an advertising budget want money and people are stupid enough to give it to them so expect the trend to continue until people start using their grey matter more intelligently.

I think that brings us to F1 racing and most sporting events....

Edited February 14, 2006 by drbones666

[jef]

Was around Udon thani Charoensri shopping mall this morning, before the entrance are some flower shops, crowded with people buying flowers, a lot of girls buying flowers for themselves, peobably because their thai bf's won't spent any bath on flowers. my thai gf asked what was going on.....er, valentines days, I said.

Her reply: Don't spend any money on that, I'll buy flowers myself when I want some. Good girl I have....

Edited February 14, 2006 by jef

[Khun Yak]

Valentine's day marks the start of spring-time love with the exchange of gifts. But why do we do this? Some would say to express our love for others, but others would say it's due to an over-abundance of advertisements. What do you think? To celebrate Valentine's Day, do you go out for dinner in LOS?

---

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.

In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very commercialised.

Valentine's Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.

Thanks for the history lesson but for a lot of sad reasons people usually dont remember the origin/sense of certain special days/public holidays once they have been transformed to special sales seasons... I admit I need to include myself, although I never "celebrated" Valentines day...yet

[raro]

<snip>

Thanks for the history lesson but for a lot of sad reasons people usually dont remember the origin/sense of certain special days/public holidays once they have been transformed to special sales seasons... I admit I need to include myself, although I never "celebrated" Valentines day...yet

...you want to suggest that shopping occasions like Valentines or Christmas have a historical background?