V-day - A celebration of love or consumerism?

Eileen Poh | poh.eileen@nus.edu.sg
the ridge news
A NUSSU Publication

Feb. 18 2008

Story Highlights:

• Many faculty clubs held V-day bazaars
• Some students think that such fairs feed the consumerism machine
• Gifts not a necessity, but doing nothing at all is not acceptable

No matter which faculty you are in, buying a gift for your other half this Valentine’s Day will not be a problem. Ranging from flowers to balloons and chocolates, these items are sold in the bazaars held by the various faculty clubs in celebration of the season of love.

The National University of Singapore’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences alone held two such fairs on Valentine’s Day itself.

Valentine’s Day fairs at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
(Photo by Eileen Poh)

The intensity of such fairs is sending out a message – the celebration of love has become another day to feed the consumerism machine.

“Valentine’s Day has lost its meaning of showing appreciation for your own loved ones because all the shop owners are exploiting consumers,” said Ng An Qi, a third-year arts and social sciences student.

Third-year sociology student, Jeraldine Tan, also said that Valentine’s Day is just a day when shop owners are making use of the occasion to “mark up the prices and earn more profits than usual.”

While majority of the students approached by the ridge said gifts are not a necessity, many were against the idea of doing nothing for the occasion.

“If he has something urgent or really valid reasons, I am fine with getting nothing at all, said Allyssa Yuen, third-year arts and social sciences student. “Otherwise there must be at least something to express your love, even if it is something small.”

“A nice meal would suffice too,” said the 23-year-old.

Fourth-year engineering student, Yew Jun Kee, agrees with Yuen.

“It will be good to have a gift, no matter how simple it is, said the 25-year-old. “Otherwise, there is no meaning to the day.”

Materialism is also reflected in the number of flowers sold. The NUS Students’ Arts and Social Sciences Club received orders from 65 individuals this Valentine’s Day.

“And there are people who ordered more than one bouquet or stalk.” said Desmond Loi, publicity director of the Arts Club.

Roses for sale by the NUS Students’ Arts Club
(Photo by Eileen Poh)

In response to the consumerism of Valentine’s Day, students such as Yew beg to differ.

“Valentine’s Day is a special day to do something special for other half,” said Yew. “We cannot do that everyday so this day is meant for it, at least.”

Sincerity still shows itself in the midst of materialism.

In response to whether price reflects sincerity and love, most students stressed that it is the thought that counts when it comes to gifts.

“You can receive a very expensive gift from somebody, but it may just be that he or she has the financial ability to buy something more expensive,” said Tan. “And that does not equate to the amount of sincerity.”

Yew also agrees with Tan. “However, an absurdly expensive gift usually pulls through even if sincerity is absent,” said Yew.

If you had spent your Valentine’s Day in some glamorous restaurants and received an expensive gift, think twice whether it is the person or the present that you love.