Valentine's day as pure imitation and commercialization

Submitted by Prashant, Feb 17, 2019 at 09:22

Dear Dr Pipes:

I find it kind of stupid when people in Asian and African countries celebrate Valentines Day. Valentines day's popularity in most countries (to some extent even in the Western world) is due to commercial reasons. In most of the countries in Asia and Africa Valentine's day has been popularized during the last quarter of a century by TV channels and commercial establishments. Just as people in the West find over-commercialization of Christmas objectionable, it makes sense if some people in other cultures find it objectionable when a highly commercial cultural concept from the West is thoughtlessly adopted by people who have no direct cultural connection with that concept. But, yes, I will agree that the battle for or against Valentine's day should be in fought in the family living rooms and not on the streets. Commercial establishments like flower shop, restaurants, and TV Channels will support anything that encourages people to open their wallets.

By the way of contrast, India celebrates one day per year as the teacher's day. Partly because emphasis in the Indian culture to revere the Guru, on this day teachers in all schools are honored (for about five minutes in the morning!). How likely it is that in a span of 25 years the whole world starts celebrating Teachers Day with the Indians? Not much I would say. So we wonder what makes Valentine's day so popular so quickly in so many countries of the world.

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