By the century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards. Treat your ‘chic’ this Valentine To-morrow is Saint
Valentine’s day, All in the morning betime, And I a maid at your window, To be your Valentine. Then up he rose, and donn’d his clothes, And dupp’d the chamber-door; Let in the maid, that out a maid Never departed more. By William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5
There are certain agreed upon norms about Valentine’s Day which are not exactly laid down rules though people generally follow them: • The first man (if you are female)/ female (if you are male) you talk to on the 14th is your valentine • Males buy presents each year and females on leap years • On a leap year, women can propose love to men on the 14th • One should wear the colour red on this day • The present should be accompanied by a red rose and chocolate So, treat your girlfriends and wives well this Valentine. Valentine’s Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. While it might not be most men’s favorite day, since you have to fork out money, especially after “January disease” women feel differently. The only way to make this day great for both of you is to make it amazing. The fundamental rule you need to abide by on Valentine’s Day is that it’s all about her. There’s nothing about you on this day. You’ve got to become the most selfless man out there. Regardless of what men think, women want to feel special on this day. From the second they wake up that morning, they’re waiting for their Valentine’s Day surprises. They awake in a state of anticipation. So if you usually don’t call her in the morning, that’s the least you can do, call her. Even a call me back could do, it’s the thought that counts. If you live in the same house, then you could prepare the bath water or coffee. Just do something you don’t normally do. That way, when she gets to the
office and she hears all the other women saying “You won’t believe what my husband/boyfriend did,” she’ll be able to share her experience, too. At the office or college, the flowers from her colleagues’ husbands/ boyfriends will start showing up, and all the women are going to be gossiping. So make sure that on Valentine’s Day, you send her something to the office, something cute, maybe just a card, or one flower, or maybe just an email with a song, something different, because she’s going to be talking to other girls all day long. That’s what women do, they talk. And she doesn’t want to feel like you’ve ignored Valentine’s Day, especially in front of her friends. She doesn’t want to feel neglected. Half the time, you have no idea how your woman covers up for you in front of people, lying about what you bought for her, where you promised to take her out after work. So don’t make her go through all that lying this year. A $1.00 rose at Africa Unity Square, for those in Harare can still save the day. She will go into that office the very next day and tell all her friends and colleagues, and they’ll all envy her, which is exactly what she wants. It’s all about being ‘the’ man. It’s all about being honourable, and it’s all about making your woman feel really amazing. That is how you distinguish yourself on Valentine’s Day, how you honour the woman in your life and create romance. Don’t worry 2016 will be yours, you will get your own treat! TP
Happy Valentine’s day to all our readers and advertisers. Thank you for your unfailing support.
The Parade Editorial Team
The Parade - Zimbabwe’s Most Read Lifestyle Magazine
February 2013
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