Editorial: It's still making the world go around

5:28 AM Sunday Feb 13, 2011

Photo / Thinkstock

The curmudgeons who bawl "Bah! Humbug!" at the mere mention of Valentine's Day, dismissing it as just another excuse to separate fools and their money, are rather missing the point.

It has plainly escaped their attention that we are in the middle of a recession so you can think of a modest Valentine's Day spend-up as a boost to the retail economy verging on a patriotic duty. And what better reason for doing it than in the name of love?

Kiwi blokes don't have a reputation as the world's greatest romancers. The American movie star Anna Faris, who was invited in none-too-courteous terms by passing male motorists to remove specific items of her clothing, may have got the wrong idea about the male of the species down here but it's safe to say that the New Zealand man is not big on bunches of red roses and serenading his beloved while standing outside the ranchslider next to the barbecue.

So a dedicated day provides the perfect excuse to take the risk. It's the one day of the year when she's pretty much guaranteed not to say: "Don't think these flowers will get you out of doing the lawns - and stop that bloody awful singing!"

It's traditionally the day that secret admirers declare their ... er ... admiration, though that's best done by those not already hitched. We don't want anyone to get hurt, after all.

Otherwise, the fact of the matter is that there is nowhere near enough love about, so any excuse is good enough to spread a bit around. Enjoy doing your bit tomorrow.

- Herald on Sunday

Old School (Auckland Central) | 02:05PM Sunday, 13 Feb 2011

The article from the leader of the Islamic community rings warning bells. This is not Saudi Arabia or deepest Indonesia. Young adherents of Islam living in NZ ought not to be fearful of drawing the attention of their religious leaders if having dinner with their boyfriend or girl friend on Valentines Day any more than exchanging gifts as Christmas should they choose.When in Rome do as the Romans do. Lighten up. You have chosen to join us here. Don't import those seventh century restrictions with you.

FMax (New Zealand) | 02:06PM Sunday, 13 Feb 2011

As far as Kiwi men making grand romantic gestures, whenever I have known this to happen to Kiwi women they have instantly written the guy off as a loser or a creep. Same with revealing yourself as a secret admirer. Kiwi women get what they have trained men to do.

You didn't mention that Kiwi women don't have a good romantic reputation either, but let's not go into that.

Arch (Mt Wellington) | 02:06PM Sunday, 13 Feb 2011

So it's a case of "lie back and think of the economy." At least the roses were probably grown in New Zealand, but the chocolates may have been made in Belgium.
As well as supporting a spend-up for this annual day pair-bonding, perhaps the Herald should sponsor "Kiwi Monday", one day a week when we all try to buy something that was 100% New Zealand grown or made. After all, in the "West Island" across the water, every day is Australia Day.