Yesterday is February 14, a day when men the world over cringe as they realize that they have to live up the expectations that come with Valentines day wherein they have to wine and dine their lady friends who they have chosen to be their Valentine. Wining and dining includes of course the typical chocolates, flowers, jewellery, dinner, or whatever it is you choose. Essentially this is a day to spend some money on your special someone to show them just how much you love them. Well... thats a half truth, as I said before men are the one doing the cringing, its really a day for women, that's the reasons why all the typical V-Day gifts are all things that women want and men end up with the empty pockets. But no this is not coming from somebody who has been repeatedly bitten in the rear by V-day celebrations (I really dont celebrate v-day), its just coming from my observations of society.

alentines day as far as I've seen in Jamaica seems to be celebrated roughly the same way it is throughout the countries in the world that also celebrate V-day. Restaurants are all packed and booked out as men seek to show their love, chocolates seem to disappear from the supermarket shelves as fast as they appear, people begin to sell roses even on the streets to anybody who wants that final touch to their gift or make it their gift, the radio stations have been playing soft music all day and people everywhere start wearing red... no wait I wasn't all that clear on what I meant by everybody wearing red, I have seen people wearing some designs of clothing that were nothing short of exorbitant. I saw a guy in a 3 piece suit (with felt hat and white feather) that was red with white pinstripes and the shoes matched as well. I would love to know who designed that suit for him and why he felt he needed to be standing in the middle of downtown Montego Bay with that suit on.

**This suit tries, but it isn't as cool.

But alas stranger things have happened.

But there is a surprisingly large amount of Jamaicans who like me dont really see the point of the whole valentines day thing. Maybe it is the whole fact that we are broke and spending money on such a frivolous thing seems silly to us, or maybe it can be summed up in something I have realized for myself and that a friend of mine put so beautifully when he said:

"Some may disagree with me, but this whole V Day thing seems to be a little ridiculous to me, and honestly has always seemed that way. I have 365 days to show my woman how I feel about her, and for some unfathomable reason on this specific day I should what? love you more... Or show you that I care more on that day as opposed to every other day. When you really think about it, I'm surprised that women aren't pissed at this whole V Day Thing."

To me he put what I've been thinking quite beautifully and its something I think all women should think about, If you only feel special once per year is that really the relationship you want to be in?

However its something that will probably be with us for many years, after all business men thrive on this day and why would they make such a brilliant business venture end?