Valentine’s Day: a day full of affection, appreciation and adoration. It’s a holiday universally celebrated by spending time with one’s significant other, and treating each other with small gifts and chocolates. But also, it is bound by many controversial opinions in today’s modern world. Accordingly, The Searchlight turned to the hallways to learn more about the true thoughts about Valentine’s Day at WHS:
Do you think Valentine’s Day is only fun if you’re dating someone?
“No, I feel like you can hang with your friends, make it enjoyable, it doesn’t have to be about love or anything.” (Nathan G.)
“You can do like a cute little Galentine’s with your girls and celebrate with your parents, so no.” (Favor N.)
“No, because I feel like a lot of people— I don’t know— don’t they do their Galentine’s Day where they have dinner and have fun and catch up with their friends. So I dont think its just for those who have a significant other.” (Mr. Okolowitcz)
“I mean, well that’s kind of like the whole point of it because you’re supposed to hang out with whoever you’re with, so if you’re not in a couple there’s not much point to it.” (Andrew B.)
“I don’t think so. I think you can make time with some of your close friends and just surround yourself with people you love.” (Victoria J.)
“No, because you can change it to Galentine’s and have fun with your friends.” (Señora Bacon)
“No, I think you can always buy candy and have fun with your gals.” (Maddy G.)
Is it cute or cringey to ask someone to be your valentine?
“Nah I ask everybody to be my valentine.” (Nathan G.)
“If you’re dating it’s cute, if you’re not it’s cringey.” (Ella K.)
“Cringey. That just feels like I’m on Disney Channel.” (JJ B.)
“Oh, I actually have had this conversation with a couple students and they’re like ‘I’m going to be so mad if my boyfriend doesn’t ask me to be his valentine,’ and I’m like ‘but you guys are dating, you shouldn’t have to.’ Isn’t that a prom thing to like you still have to get promposed to even if you’re dating—like I don’t know—you guys are already together.” (Mr. Okolowitcz)
“I think it depends if you know the person. If it’s just a random person that would be a little icked out honestly.” (Victoria J.)
“I think it’s cute. Who doesn’t want to have attention paid to them, right?” (Señora Bacon)
“No, I like it. That’s good. If you’re dating them. Not like a random person.” (Megan S.)
Should couples assume that they are each other’s valentines or should people ask their partner to be their valentine?
“I feel like they should assume. I would be kind of concerned if that was not what’s happening.” (JJ B.)
“I feel like they should assume, but I feel like they should still ask because I think it’s cute.” (Favor N.)
“I think they should assume honestly. I don’t know if that’s a hot take, but I think they should.” (Victoria J.)
“I think that if you’re a couple you can pretty much assume you’re valentines.” (Señora Bacon)
“I think people should ask just cause it’s the nice thing to do even if it’s kind of implied.” (Kayla J.)
Does Valentine’s Day add additional pressure to a relationship?
“No, I think that it’s just a cute little tradition. I don’t think it’s that serious. I don’t think people should be putting crazy pressure on living up to certain standards.” (Corinne G.)
“Pressure? No, I don’t think so.” (Ella K.)
“No, probably not. You have to buy the stuff, but it’s not that expensive to get like the chocolate and stuff.” (JJ B.)
“I think I agree with JJ. It’s just cute, and it adds more to the relationship.”(Favor N.)
“Yes, I think it does because you’re like pressured to get them a gift or like expected to know all their favorite candy and flowers.” (Victoria J.)
Would you prefer a more traditional gift, like chocolate and flowers, or a more personal gift for valentines day?
“I think I like the traditional gifts more. I think you can save the personal gifts for birthdays or Christmas.” (Corinne G.)
“I prefer a more personal gift because it’s like more effort, not more money.”(Abby T.)
“Personally, I love eating, so I feel like chocolate’s more for me.” (Nathan G.)
“Personal. Ah, no, I don’t know. Both? Both.” (Ella K.)
“Anything. Maybe the chocolate.” (JJ B.)
“I love chocolate, so please get chocolate.” (Favor N.)
“Either way, I think anything would be fine. I think personalized would probably matter more to that person.” (Andrew B.)
“Well, I love chocolates, so that would be good with me either way, but I appreciate a gift that has a lot of thought behind it too.” (Señora Bacon)
“Personal. Just because I think it’s really superficial giving a person flowers and chocolate for Valentine’s Day.” (Bernardo C. D.)
“I feel like it depends on how well you know the person, you know. If you really like that person then probably something more personal, but if it’s just like you’re just meeting them then that would be kind of awkward, you know.” (Kayla J.)
