Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day
I thought I would start off my blogging week with an article attributed to the day today. Happy Valentine's Day everyone (or in my family, Happy Valen'Tuyn's Day). This article talks about how Valentine's Day is a day of deliberate commercial exchange in the eyes of an economist, which I totally believe in. Is that fair to say? He gives some good economic perspectives on presents like jewelry, flowers and other accessories. I particularly enjoyed the part where one can express his love for another through reducing carbon emissions. And he also gives tips on what to give for your significant other at the bottom. More of a fun article to ponder than anything, but I figured with 3 people blogging today, I was off the hook a little bit.
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Merry Valentimes day to all!
ReplyDeleteI liked the article putting an economic spin on the holiday. Hank, the boyfriend, helped stimulate the economy of Kalamazoo today on my behalf, I like these consumer holidays... drive up GDP all is good?
Interesting article. The economic perspective seems to make more sense to me. I thought the quote, "Couldn't we have just gone to this restaurant yesterday when we wouldn't have to be on a wait list" quite funny. And yes, I would agree you were a bit off the hook. Valen'Tuyn's Day? Hahaha
ReplyDeleteAll of these holidays have been exercises in our insane levels of irrationality. People rushing out to get the perfect gift, and a cool card that will end up in the trash. Whats wrong with writing what you wat to say on a piece of paper anyway? Not cutsie enough? And how does one out do his/herself from the previous year's antics? Surely you cant buy a lesser gift than last year's, that would be criminal. And no one ever wants to hear the dreaded: "you dont have to get me anything for Valentine's Day" statement. Try it and see what happens. Does it make me an ass for not spending $50 for 12 red flowers that will be dead in a week? What if I bought chocolate in a square yellow box instead of a red heart shaped box because it is $10 less. Does that make me a cheapskate? What about that dinner? If I take my wife out on the 13th, or the 15th, does that make me less romantic? Its just food right? Is there some law somewhere that says in order to be a good boyfriend/husband one must obediently observe holidays buy spending gobs of money on meaningless gifts and over priced dinners? Sad part is, this logic never comes to me until after I buy the flowers and chocolate...... :)
ReplyDeleteHaha indeed the Valentines Day tactics are unavoidable for those in a relationship.. But that's what every holiday is about really. Sure Christmas and other holidays in December have a strong religious background, but that sentiment is nowhere close to the hype behind Santa Clause and the exchange of gifts. These holidays bring great relief to the suppliers to such goods and is a healthy boost in our economy, so I'm down to play along, why not?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this article. I also think that this holiday is a "hallmark holiday" and a "commercial holiday," just like Easter, Christmas, and Halloween. I love participating in holiday festivities, and I think they're a great way to boost our economy too!
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