I found it interesting how many DUers defended the whole Christmas shopathon, Black Friday, etc., madness because "our economy depends on it".

Make presents, do favors, do nice things, quit buying crap, I say!

If you can buy stuff that isn't the product of exploitation of the planet or the people on it, even better.

There is a lot of pressure, though, on those of us who don't have money.

Christmas is worse because the pressure is everywhere to buy, buy, buy. If you don't get people extravagant gifts, well you're a horrible person.

At least with Valentine's Day it's only between 2 people. You aren't expected to buy gifts for 50 people.

it has to be at least that much.

benefits Planned Parenthood, I hope it does well.

Let sleeping flame wars lie.

Really? People who work in restaurants don't need customers to keep their job.
I don't think you thought this through.

Also, it's not like that 16. billion $$ number is generated by a few ridiculously spendthrift people.

It's generated across the US, bit by bit, by people, individuals of all strata.

It's a boost to the economy, part of a paycheck for many, and a reinforcement of human ties (even when it's a sad attempt--it's human to want emotional bonds.)

If they can afford to spend a few hundred dollars on a dinner, I don't see any reason why they shouldn't.

To get sex, or to NOT get grief. It's pressure from 1 person, not the whole society, that gets them to do it.

I just wonder where that one person could have gotten their idea.

why not? Isn't it wonderful to have sex? We should probably celebrate our sexuality in all of its forms and for whatever its reason...

Damned if you do...........

Most men are hoping for sex, but some don't do it with that hope, but just so they don't have to hear about how they're lazy, cheap or forgetful for a whole year.

Valentine's Day should be every day, with both partners showing their love with deeds instead of money.

People seem more materialistic now than they were back then, and with credit, more willing to spend money on things they don't need.

People are going to dine out for a special occasion regardless of whether or not commercials tell them to.

I should take up smoking, because the people who grow tobacco and make cigarettes and treat lung cancer need their jobs too and buying Sean Hannity's latest book would not be a waste of money, it would provide employment to a publisher, book wholesaler, UPS driver and book retailer.

Spend your money in whatever way you'd like.

Judging how and why others spend their money is selfish.

Besides, you folks do realize that 20 million couples spending $50 for dinner (not cheap, but hardly extravagant) is a billion.

Seems like the big number shook some people up.

But we probably will go somewhere nice the Sunday evening afterwards. The food will taste just as good.

Learned the lesson years ago.

Places way over-crowded. People getting cranky because they have had to wait an hour or more for a table. Many food items sold out.

People get more cranky. Restaurant staff way too stressed and frazzled. Start making mistakes.

People get more cranky.

Mother's Day is way worse than Valentine's Day, though. Valentine's Day dinner is relatively kid free.

On Mother's Day a third of the patrons may be under 5, hungry and over-tired.

And you know how there's that one kid in every ten or so that can hit that perfect resonant frequency pitch of a whine or wail? One that feels like your spine is about to leap out of your body and lurch itself away down the street?

On Mother's Day, odds are, there will be at least 3 of these vocal talents within twenty feet of you.
And then, sensing each others' presence, they go into harmonics.

Father's Day, too.

Some good food, some conversation...who knows. Holy shit, that sucks! Why people just don't succumb to the misery surrounding them is SO beyond me.

When the economy is bad, the thing to do is stay home and be listless and despondent.

Even if it is just a once a year day for treasuring the person we love.

How dare they take advantage of people like this. It's like they think they should be able to feed their family or something. They might even use the money they've pilfered on other consumer money pits like at local shops employed by other greedy vultures that want your money. You tell em!

who could possibly get hurt? http://journals.democraticunderground.com/hfojvt/30

I'll never buy a flower again. Ever. Thank you.

Depending on whether they are grown locally or imported.

Buy flowers locally, in-season.

but they are just barely blooming. Very slow growers those lilacs.

I do much better with my dandylion crop.

Another vine type thing has been declared a noxious weed, but I've started letting it grow all over my fences. I have a yucca plant too, that I was thinking of getting rid of, but it stays green year round, so I wonder if I should keep it. Plus it would be a lot of work to dig it up, so I may just keep it.

But Feb 14 is pretty early for local flowers in most of the country. So the commercial grower are heating greenhouses, and the commercial florists are also importing from Colombia, etc.,

Friends and family are what we SHOULD be spending our money on.

and so why would I cancel that? Makes him feel good and the place we are going to is run by russian lady and her son and she decorates with roses all over and red heart balloons. Its very sweet of her. Their food is different from eastern europe and russia.

We don't go out a lot but when we do we pick places that will help local small restaurants out.

My husband is the type to buy $100 flower arrangements and expensive jewelry we can't afford. It took me a few years of marriage to convince him I didn't need those things in a nice way.

When I was younger and more insecure I wanted those things from relationships. As you mature in life and in relationships you realize you don't need proof of love.

one of the three nights a year that a conservative might actually get laid

is a romantic action which may or may not lead to marriage.

I mean, people have to eat anyway.

I don't like flowers, though. Well, I do like flowers, but I've told Mr Pipi that they're a waste and don't even bother buying me roses or whatever. A potted plant, OK. But cut flowers that will die inside of 14 days? Bah.

My favorite is jewelry. Lasts way longer than food, chocolates, and flowers.

I'm happy the economy is healthy enough that people are prepared to spend that kind of money.

Florists, restaurants, card makers and sellers, and chocolate makers all have a good day along with people who love each other. Even children pass out cards to their classmates.

Valentine's day is a wonderful idea! It's a day devoted to love. What can beat that?

An exchange entered upon willingly is, by definition, not "blown" money.

Tickets for 2 were $50. I think it will be a nice evening out for a good cause, plus our babysitter gets her cut

On valentines day then by golly they should!

People go out to eat for plenty of reasons. Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentines Day and Graduation season is HUGE for restaurants! It pumps money onto my local economy and keeps people employed.

Big deal.

How many shopping days until Christmas?

Anyway, if they're not wasting the cash on 1-800-Flowers and Hallmark and the like, but having themselves a good dinner at a non-chain restaurant, what's not to like? (The crowds on that evening, perhaps.)

It keeps a restaurant in business and waiters, waitresses, cooks, busboys, food suppliers, linen suppliers, delivery people etc etc etc employed with money for them to spend. Yeah that's a really bad thing, so bad for the economy.

with Valentines Day it's mostly people who want to be together and have a good time.

ONE (not a main reason, but a tiny tipping point one) of reasons I fell in love with my fiancé a few yew years ago was because I got flowers and a card the first Valentines Day we were together.

You know why? Know why this was a big deal? Other than my favorite Aunt and Gramfeathers - he was the third person and first man to acknowledge it separate from my birthday - the 13th!

I never got to bring smiley face cookies into school - I always had to do heart shaped ones on Valentines Day! Ooooooh the huge manatee! The mad ravings of a first world child! With first world problems.