Meh. The season of love and romance is upon us. Now, if like me, you'd rather suck the snot out of a gorilla's nose than make the slightest effort for Valentine's Day, read on.
After Christmas and Easter, Valentine's Day is one of the most recognisable public holidays in the calendar. For many, it's a time to express love for a partner. However, for others it can be a depressing miserable time, which only serves to remind you of how lonely you feel.
More and more, modern society is recognising V-day for exactly what it is - a commercial marketing machine to boost national economies. People argue, why must you have one particular day of the year to celebrate your love for someone? Every day should be special. But many people still look forward to February 14th. A time when you can devote a whole day to that special someone. Whether you shower them with gifts, take them to the place where you first met, or invite them out for a slap-up meal.
Thought to originate around 500AD, This day of love was established by Pope Gelasius I and named after early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine.
Here are some decidedly unromantic facts which the hardened, practical types amongst you might appreciate.
Suicide rates go up on Valentine's Day. Also, 75 percent of year-round suicide attempts are attributable to relationship problems.
Sales of condoms increase around 25 percent and more STDs are contracted than any other time of the year. I guess not everybody practices safe sex, despite the condom sales figures!
More home pregnancy tests are sold in March than any other month. Often resulting in more babies born in Winter.
Sales of Love Heart sweets dramatically increase around Valentine's Day, which is impressive considering they taste like crap (pardon my language, but they do, right?)
53 percent of women would dump their boyfriend if they didn't buy them anything on Valentine's Day.
Around 35 percent of men would prefer not to receive a gift, whereas 20 percent of women feel the same way.
15 percent of women send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day. It's true, but basic psychology tells us that people want to feel loved. If they are yet to find that special someone, they often go to great lengths in pretending to themselves, and people around them.
Last year 80 arrests were made in Malaysia in an operation to stop Muslims celebrating Valentine's Day.
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