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Anita Koske English Language Teache... @ Academie de Versa...
city Paris, France
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In People and Society • 2 min read • Feb 14, 2023 07:34a.m.
Valentine’s day is a scam!

<span class="html-content"><p>Every year during Valentine’s season, I have this discussion with my friends, about how it is one of the most useless holidays that exist. This is normally the week when streets like those of Nairobi become painted in white and red ahead of the 14th of February, as street vendors flood the sidewalks with plastic flowers, chocolates, teddy bears, and hallmark valentine’s day cards. Malls flood their shelves with red and white-themed outfits, while restaurants, cafes, and parks are not left behind as they change their décor to be in sync with the season. And this is what I don’t like the most about this holiday, how it is a capitalist scam that millions of people fuel worldwide every year. This year, I still stand by my opinion that Valentine’s Day is very pointless.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;Just to clear the air, my relationship status has nothing to do with it because one of the most immediate reactions I get is that I’m bitter and single. My friends have planned so many cute fun dates and dinners with their significant others, but I think these are the things you can do any time of the year, and still show each other appreciation. Valentine's holiday is nothing but a capitalist construct, the culture mandates purchasing items dubbed as gifting and celebrating love. Some people would go out of their way and break banks in the name of celebrating valentine’s day. It shows consumerism and commercialism in play, the buying of unwanted, and unneeded gifts, as people continue to drive the capitalist agenda.</p><p>&nbsp;As much as I love receiving, and offering gifts, I would rather do it spontaneously rather than wait for a day that social pressure mandates I buy a pink card, flowers, and chocolates. I would not be extremely excited to receive the roses and any of the gifts either. Yes, people are free to use the Valentine’s holiday to express their love for each other, but it should be more than buying things and fuelling the capitalist agendas that have ruined so many important holidays.</p> </span>

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