Here Comes another Holiday...Korean Style

 Ok another holiday I usually stay away from is now approaching at a rate faster than the speed of light. Valentine's Day. A truly market friendly holiday where one is supposed to give gifts and profess love and care to those around him. Okay~first problem, you shouldn't have to rely on a date on a calendar to tell someone how you feel about them. That is just silly. Granted in elementary school the holiday was a little more interesting with all the Valentine's we made and candy treats that would be handed out. But now I am just left to wondering why we do it at all. Maybe I have a Grinch-like approach to this one. I think many single people have a bit of a cynical point of view for this. Why then have I managed to pick a country that chooses to celebrate

the holiday 3 times a year!!! I have amazing luck I suppose. What I find though is that when I ask for explanations and guidelines as to how to approach each of these days, most will say that they are just silly market holidays. I know though that behind those words, plans are still being made for the occasion. So here are the basics of the three holidays.
February 14th...the most commercial of the three and the most like the American version of Valentine's Day. Traditionally though, guys give girls gifts for this day. I have seen a few things shown around school by the high school boys that definitely was not purchased at Walmart!
On March 14th it is White Valentine's Day. Same basic premise, not as market heavy and the girls are to give gifts to the guys. Then comes the one I am least thrilled about for various reasons.
April 14th. April 14th is Black Valentine's Day. It is for single people. Primarily to socialize and apparently to celebrate or bemoan the fact that they are single. It is also somewhat of a tradition to eat a black noodle dish on that day as well. SERIOUSLY! I am well aware of the fact I am single. I don't need a special day to "celebrate" that one. I kind of wonder if it is a conspiracy by all the makers of black noodle dishes to amp up their sales. I mean if you have it delivered why not just put up a big neon sign saying SINGLE, SINGLE, SINGLE. I mean it is bad enough that April 15th is the Federal Income Tax deadline, now I have to think about the day before as well? We can all say that they are nothing but marketing holidays but deep down we all know it feels good to be reminded that you are loved and are special to someone else in the world.
My final theory on the matter is this, and feel free to chime in on it if you would like.
Red Valentine's Day~ Guy makes sure to get sweetheart something nice
White Valentine's Day ~ Girl gets guy something nice to remind him that he forgot Red Valentine's Day
Black Valentine's Day~ Guy is out looking for new girl because he didn't take the hint on White  Valentine's day and now he has to eat alone...
Yeah, somebody is definitely making money on this one.
Enjoy your Valentine's Day, whenever you choose to celebrate it.