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Printer-Friendly ModePoor Valentine's taste shows societal trend
February 18, 2008 —
I don't like Valentine's Day. I think it's the most inane of the widely celebrated holidays. No, by the way, I am not single - since some of you may have thought that was part of my reasoning. It's an entirely commercial occasion to "celebrate your love." Can I not do that on Feb. 15? Apparently not. Am I required to do it with roses or flowers or chocolate? Apparently. Still, for all of the holiday's inanity, I found myself walking by the RFoC last week disgusted by the further degradation of an already-debased occasion - condom-flower-bouquet Valentine's (three or four multicolored condoms and ribbons attached to a stick).
I would like to note that, until I witnessed this, I really had nothing against the organization distributing these "valentines," and this is not, in any way, meant as an attack. This is me being disappointed by something I thought I didn't really care about.
So what is the big deal? I'm a cynical person. I laugh at things I shouldn't. But was this meant as a joke? I didn't get that impression. I got the impression that these were actual valentines to give your partner, so I could only be aghast and wonder why.
And, I support safe sex. Actually, I think those that don't practice safe sex in an STD-crazy-and-accidental-pregnancy-filled world are fairly dense, especially if they are promiscuous at all. Yet, I also understand that romance and sex can, and often do, go together.
What disappointed me so much about these valentines was the message. Valentine's Day is about being thankful for your significant other, showing them how you care in a silly or meaningful way. At least, that's what I thought. Maybe, in my lack of celebrating the holiday (as I've spent the last few single), I missed the memo of how it's turned into: I sort of like you, but really just want to do you.
That's the message these condom-bouquets seemed to send to me. Am I missing something? Do three or four condoms crafted together on a stick actually represent some sort of affectionate message? Maybe. Maybe I'm just being jaded. Or maybe, just maybe, people have lost any sense of dignity.
On some level, it doesn't really surprise me. Today, every holiday seems more about a day off of work than its actual meaning. Accepted insolence seems to be on the rise in our current, increasingly degrading culture, and real shock seems more and more difficult to achieve. I myself am often a part of that and will readily admit to it. So, why did this, of all things, bother me?
Because while I may hold little respect for our society or culture as a whole, I still respect individuals until they prove unworthy, and a person offering their partner or date a condom-flower-bouquet represents, in my opinion, a lack of respect where it seems the most necessary.