Whether you are a single person, married couple, committed couple, it can seem like THE BIG FINAL EXAM pressure and tensions when February 14th starts to approach.
Yes folks, I am talking about..
VALENTINE’S DAY!
I can hear all the poor men cringe and groan.
What IS it about Valentine’s Day that is so beloved and simultaneously dreaded?
The PRESSURE of THE EXPECTATIONS.
I am serious here.
For single-never-married women in their late 20s into mid-30s or even 40s, there really is a social pressure and self-expectation to Have a Date on Valentine’s Day. Not having one, and she can often, at least secretly, feel like a romantic failure. Her internalized self-expectation and pressure to have a date for Valentine’s Day can maker her feel dreadful, even if externally, she puts on a brave face. So, guys, if you’re her date, yes, you HAVE to go out ON Valentine’s Day evening. Her girlfriends have been asking for weeks prior and days afterwards. Even if it’s just a small box (because I don’t know any woman at any age who isn’t at least watching her weight) of chocolates and roses flowers (yes, you’ll have to place your order ages in advance, please don’t just buy them at the grocery store because they won’t last.) are still classic romantic gestures.
Gifts of jewelry are for more committed couples.
I hear from single women, griping that their boyfriends gave them red roses. (My personal favorite is an Azalea Pink Ecuadorian roses bouquet. But I used to be able to find that readily in San Francisco, but not here in Orange County or in the Las Vegans locals area of Las Vegas.)
“He didn’t take the time to find out what I LIKE!”
Or the poor men who are newly back in the dating sphere, single dads, divorced dads, and widowers getting back into dating, the internet dating sites, and finding so many of the single girls’ expectations have changed since they were last dating. They feel lost and behind the 8 ball at the get go.
Here it is February 5th. In some metro areas, if you don’t already have a reservation made back in January, forget about it. Unless you are Brad Pitt’s assistant or making the reservation for Britney Spears, it is ALREADY too late.
Everything which is darling and filled with candlelight is already taken.
Feels like you can’t win for losing, doesn’t it, gentlemen?
Really, I understand.
Let me help you out a little here with some dating relationship advise.
Easy Dating Tip: Make Your Reservations at a great Steak House.
Quite often there are still have tables on Valentine’s Day available. Ruth Chris. Black Angus. Go for it!
Often the good steak houses are still quite romantic and supportive of women’s current diet trends towards Atkins Diet and South Beach Diet of focusing on and giving priority to protein with veggies and low carbing it. And often steak house are dimly lighted, which translates to her feeling it is a romantic environment for better body language flirting.
All this week I will post about lifesaving easy dating tips for men to survive and thrive through Valentine’s Day!
2019 update: Once you are a married couple, quite often spouses will agree to celebrate Valentine’s Day on another night because now Valentine’s Day has become too much of a scene with restaurants both limiting their menus and then ramping up the prices simply because they can.
I know married couple who used to aim to celebrate Valentine’s Day 1 night before or after to avoid the Premium Prices that restaurants are bilking couples for. However, restaurants have gotten around that and many of the romantic restaurants now charge the Premium Priced menu not only for the whole related weekend of Valentine’s Day but also for the weekend and few days before and after.
So, if you’re already married, do look to celebrate Valentine’s Day out of the house another time completely or identify a restaurant local to you which doesn’t do that. In addition to possibly steak houses, take a look out for Chinese Food or Thai Restaurants with a nice ambiance. You might still be able to head out on The Day. Just be as flexible as possible. I do know in some married couples where celebrating out with their spouse on Valentine’s Day evening is essential. Just try to find something in your area that works. We have, but I’m not telling, least suddenly it becomes swamped.
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
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