Spring Break
Single on Valentine's Day doesn't have to be painful
Patrick Fancher
Issue date: 2/16/09 Section: Forum
Valentine's Day was last Saturday, so that meant couples all over the world exchanged flowers, chocolates, kisses and much more. But for those of us who are single and unattached, it was a day similar to any other.
As a semi-young, single man, I've become an expert on trying to make the best of Valentine's Day and refusing to let it make me feel lonely. Each year I try to mix up the monotony of this painfully-overrated holiday. I don't want to seem bitter here, as I can remember how wonderful it feels to be in love with someone.
My mission here is to give a shout out to other single people and provide some advice on both good and bad alternatives of how to spend this day in the future.
Never ever under any circumstance drink alcohol alone. One year I spent Valentine's Day alone in my apartment, sipping on screwdrivers while watching romantic comedies.
At first, you enjoy getting your buzz on and watching movies that are mildly amusing in that light-hearted yet not-too-hilarious kind of way. However, hours later you discover yourself stumbling around, blind-drunk and on the verge of tears. Not a good idea, though I still consider watching the movie "Kissing a Fool" to be time well spent.
Avoid going anywhere near a movie theater or a dimly lit restaurant unless you want to see something like "Saw IV" or you're planning to dine with friends or family. Nothing can make a single person feel more singled out than seeing a barrage of happy couples everywhere he or she looks. It's like being unarmed and surrounded by zombies; your only option is to run away.
Or you can be like I was this year, on total scholastic lock down because you have several impending midterms to study for.
The final thing you shouldn't do is easily the most important, and, in retrospect, the most obvious: never accept the invitation to be the third wheel on a friends' date.
No matter how many times they reassure you that it's cool for you to be there, it isn't. Having done this once, I can't put enough emphasis on how awkward and uncomfortable you feel as your friend's partner is continuously throwing annoyed glances in your direction.
As a semi-young, single man, I've become an expert on trying to make the best of Valentine's Day and refusing to let it make me feel lonely. Each year I try to mix up the monotony of this painfully-overrated holiday. I don't want to seem bitter here, as I can remember how wonderful it feels to be in love with someone.
My mission here is to give a shout out to other single people and provide some advice on both good and bad alternatives of how to spend this day in the future.
Never ever under any circumstance drink alcohol alone. One year I spent Valentine's Day alone in my apartment, sipping on screwdrivers while watching romantic comedies.
At first, you enjoy getting your buzz on and watching movies that are mildly amusing in that light-hearted yet not-too-hilarious kind of way. However, hours later you discover yourself stumbling around, blind-drunk and on the verge of tears. Not a good idea, though I still consider watching the movie "Kissing a Fool" to be time well spent.
Avoid going anywhere near a movie theater or a dimly lit restaurant unless you want to see something like "Saw IV" or you're planning to dine with friends or family. Nothing can make a single person feel more singled out than seeing a barrage of happy couples everywhere he or she looks. It's like being unarmed and surrounded by zombies; your only option is to run away.
Or you can be like I was this year, on total scholastic lock down because you have several impending midterms to study for.
The final thing you shouldn't do is easily the most important, and, in retrospect, the most obvious: never accept the invitation to be the third wheel on a friends' date.
No matter how many times they reassure you that it's cool for you to be there, it isn't. Having done this once, I can't put enough emphasis on how awkward and uncomfortable you feel as your friend's partner is continuously throwing annoyed glances in your direction.
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