Valentine's Day in India

Yes, that crass, overly commercialized "holiday" has infiltrated India. And it's just as bad here as it is in the U.S.

I'm not against romance at all, just the idea that on this one day you're supposed buy "stuff" for your loved one at prices 3 to 4 times the normal prices (e.g. roses).

Several people wished me a happy valentine's day, not something you do in the U.S. after the age of 10 or 11. Even the male bartender at my hotel said it. I thought, how odd coming from a bartender. Of course the kindness expressed from such a greeting is always appreciated, it's just different.

I also noticed a young lady at the coffee stand in our office lobby. She had five individually wrapped red roses. I asked her if they were for Valentine's Day (I know, stupid question) and she said yes. She'd bought them for her friends, as none of them had boyfriends and she wanted them to feel special. Her actions summed up the real meaning of any of these "holidays" - that is small gestures to friends mean a lot.

Reminds of another "holiday" they have here - Friends Day. I think I wrote about it last year, but it's really lame. One day a year you're supposed to buy gifts for your friends and call them and say "Happy Friend's Day!" Rubbish. I was in the car with a local friend when his cell rang. He answered and said "Yeah, you too. Uh huh. Bye." I asked who it was and he said it was someone he barely knew, calling him to wish him the aforementioned greeting. He said what I was thinking - that if someone is really your friend, shouldn't you show that appreciation all year long?

Much like if you love someone, shouldn't that be expressed every day?