Opinion: Valentine’s Day Clichés are Valid
February 7, 2022
Love letters in loopy cursive, soft pink teddy bears and sweet-smelling roses: the cliché gifts associated with Feb. 14.
Many gag at such presents, but I say, bring on the cheese.
Perhaps that’s because I’ve never been in a real romantic relationship – sorry not sorry to my eighth-grade boyfriend; it doesn’t count – so I don’t actually know how being gifted a heart-shaped box of Godiva chocolate actually feels, but let a girl dream, okay?
There is a plethora of Valentine’s Day clichés, from literally just the colors pink and red, to heartfelt cards, to a candlelit dinner at a steakhouse.
Junior Sophie Metcalfe especially doesn’t like the last one.
“I don’t like super serious dinners,” she said. “[They’re] too fancy for me. I’m under too much pressure.”
I can understand that, especially since those meals tend to be expensive. For high schoolers who earn around minimum wage, we need to save for a while to afford luxurious experiences. It’s not worth it.
Sophomore Lilli Martin said she doesn’t “see the meaning” in outings like this.
She does, however, like receiving flowers. Her dad gives her and her three older sisters roses every year. She said it’s nice waking up to flowers every Feb. 14.
“You’re giving them something from nature,” she said about why she likes this particular gift. Sharing pretty things with those you love is wholesome.
There is one cliché for singles only, though.
Junior Ainsley Mitchell said although she is in a relationship, the “being single on Valentine’s Day” genre of memes is hilarious.
“Even if you don’t have anybody, you can make memes and make jokes,” she said.
I won’t share posts like these on my Instagram story, but I’ll still give them a double tap. They’re relatable and can bring together those who may feel lonely on the day.
They might say things like “that feeling when you’re single on Valentine’s Day” with a funny reaction picture or take a lighthearted jab at couples.
Metcalfe likes keeping relationship topics private. She said to keep public displays of affection, aka PDA, out of school.
“I’m in a relationship, but I’m not the most affectionate person,” she said. “I think that changes my opinion.”
Mitchell said she doesn’t like PDA either.
“So many people get pushed into public displays of affection without consent beforehand,” she said.
I think asking your partner to a Valentine’s date with heart-shaped balloons and a cringey dance number is okay if you know he or she likes proposals like that.
I don’t think it’s a good idea if you’re not dating somebody, though, and you do something of this sort.
Imagine the worst-case scenario: they say no. Over text or during a conversation in the hall, it’d be easier to brush it off. Cry later. Act like it didn’t hurt.
If you bring a speaker to play Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” while you hold a poster with big, sparkly letters spelling “Will you go out with me?” in the atrium, and your beloved says “Absolutely not,” chances are you’ll be humiliated, embarrassed in front of plenty of onlookers laughing behind their hands and glancing at you.
It’s not a good idea, though I applaud the song choice.
More subtle romantic gestures, like giving your significant other a teddy bear or making him or her a playlist would be preferable.
I think there is a Valentine’s Day cliché that works for almost everybody according to their cringe tolerance.
“Give it a chance,” Martin said.
