Since we don't really celebrate love any other time of year, I wonder what Valentines Day is really all about. Could it have anything to do with retailer's Valentines Day haul being about $21 billion dollars in the US this year?
That is a lot of candy, flowers, cards, and nights out at romantic restaurants.
It is also a lot of jewelry. About $5.8 billion worth. That is a lot of money for something you can't eat. Or live in. Or burn if you are cold.
I imagine about $1 billion or more will be spent on inappropriate lingerie that might get worn once a bit later this evening, only to languish at the back of a drawer until the next garbage day.
Valentines has become a Hallmark Day extraordinaire. People have been trained to expect gifts on this day.
"Thou shalt buy Valentines gifts." It is one of Consumerisms 10 Commandments.
And do remember, cautious consumers, the amount you spend on a gift equals the amount of love you have to give. Mo money, mo love.
There it is! Money = love. On no other day is that as obviously exploited as today.
This day is not about love. Like everything else, it is about money, the economy, and buying crap no one needs. It is about consumerism, because they have made everything about consumerism.
Everything.
This is Idiocracy crossed with Shopiocracy, with Greediocracy thrown in for good measure.
That is not about love.
But this is - "I love you."
Love you too, Gregg and Linda. I didn't buy you a gift but you have my enduring friendship.
ReplyDeleteMadeleine.
Your love is your gift and we humbly receive it, treasure it, and reflect it right back.
DeleteLove You Guys! The "holiday" is also used to make singles (especially women) feel inadequate and less than. The pressure is on to buy whatever beauty product or clothing that will make them desirable. I feel whole and beautiful without the need for a partner in life, but that has come with age and experience.
ReplyDeleteThey will do anything they can to cajole people into buying things, and that includes trying to destroy our self esteem. It takes a strong person to deal with all the pressure. Anyone that can is obviously a rebel, like you, and I imagine most people that come here.
DeleteWe are proof that resistance is NOT futile.
I agree it is kind of a made up Holiday, but who doesn't love a box of chocolates? You can eat them.
ReplyDeleteChocolate is like a drug, I have read. Next to love, chocolate is my drug of choice.
DeleteI made double chocolate chip cookies for Linda. She loves me.
Sending love from Nebraska!
ReplyDeleteAnd sending love from Oregon. What an amazing community of people you all are, thank you! - Mary
DeleteYou know what you never hear?
Delete"There is too much love on the internet."
What is happening here seems to be rare. I love hosting all of it.
I certainly hope there is some love going around with the chocolate. I mean, I love chocolate.
ReplyDeleteMmm, chocolate. See comment above. I hope you got some chocolate.
Delete