This Valentine's Day I gift you the Coronavirus

Good ol' Valentine's Day. The "holiday" that strikes fear into the hearts of men. Let's be honest. The traditional gender norm puts the onus on men to "deliver the goods" on Valentine's Day. I'd be curious to know if this norm translates to the LGBTQ community in any way.

If you are casually dating or early in a relationship, it's a delicate dance to determine the appropriate level of gifting and celebration. If you set the bar too high early, now you've got your work cut out for you in the future. If you're in a long-term relationship, I'm sure you've fallen for the ol' "Oh you don't have to get me anything" routine and experienced the fallout thereafter.

Reasons to avoid going out to a restaurant to celebrate Valentine's Day:
  • Reservations are usually required, and you may not be able to go to your usual spot and have to settle for some restaurant that isn't in high demand (less quality)
  • The same meals are more expensive.
  • Many restaurants have a limited menu. So you're paying more for fewer options.
  • The restaurant is usually packed and very noisy. This won't be the case this year, but there will be the looming specter of the unintended gift of Coronavirus.
  • Some restaurants impose a time limit or create a sense of urgency, which kills the mood.

I remember one year in elementary school, I received only two Valentine's in my hand-crafted pouch made from construction paper and decorated with markers. One of them was from the teacher. Call me jaded.
In Japan women gift men chocolates
2021-02-14 14:04:21
If I ever visit Japan, I'd have to insist on a glucose-lowering supplement in lieu of chocolates. 
2021-02-14 14:06:44