The problem with Valentine’s Day and obligatory gift-giving

In the coming weeks there will be millions of men scouring the interwebs for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. They’ll purchase candy, flowers, jewelry, stuffed animals and various other tchotchkes. My question is why?

Love, you say? You so love and cherish your S/O that you waited until February 14th to do something special for her? A day when, coincidentally, every other man also decided to do something special for their One and Only. Could it actually be that you feel obligated? If you don’t produce a gift, or assortment of gifts, will your S/O will be disappointed or even angry? For most men this is obviously the case. Your gift is not an expression of love, but of duty. She expects a gift, because she believes she’s owed a gift, so you will produce a gift.

You're a debtor in this relationship and this is simply a transaction, a payment of your debt. Can you truly appreciate and be thankful for a gift you not only expect but demand, a payment you're entitled to receive? How can she truly appreciate you sacrificing time and money if you’re simply giving her what she’s owed? This problem of expectations eventually leads to some issues, most notably her becoming increasingly less appreciative, and you becoming resentful. She’ll require more creativity and flair with each transaction, and you’ll continue to dread Valentine’s Day. Then she’ll suck a 28 year old’s dick she met at the gym because he doesn’t owe her anything, and hasn’t disappointed her, and because he’s a Chad with a hard body and fat rod.

Here’s the question you should ask yourself this Valentine’s Day: how would your S/O respond if you simply said “I love you,” but didn’t give her a gift? That’s a good indicator of your debtor status in the relationship, and how your S/O views what should be considered acts of kindness.