Question: Do you think Valentine’s Day is materialistic or adorable?
“I think it’s adorable and romantic. The idea of gifting each other gifts and knowing what your partner likes, it’s something special that can really bond you together. It shows how much you listen to them and to their wants and interests.”
Dominic Saldivar
Junior
Music Education
“I think it’s materialistic because if my man gets me some flowers and he’s like ‘Happy Valentine’s,’ I’d be like ‘Thank you,’ but is he doing it just because he was told to and that’s a societal expectation? I feel like it would be more meaningful if my man just showed up and gave me flowers — that would mean way more to me — I just kind of expect him to be a good boyfriend no matter what day it is.”
Katriane Creel
Senior
Hospitality Management and Tourism
“Valentine’s Day can be very materialistic, but if not, there’s still, like, romantic gestures- just out with your significant other, I think it’s a good day to just be with somebody- and if you’re single then you’re just kind of bummed about it.”
Ty Gary
Junior
Hospitality Management and Tourism
“I think it’s more romantic, but it can be materialistic because if your love language is gift giving, then yes it can be materialistic, but it’s always going to be more on the romantic side because you have to like that person in order to give them that stuff.”
Nhan Ngo
Junior
Hospitality Management and Tourism
Question: If you’re in a relationship, do you have to ask your partner to be your Valentine?
“You don’t have to but I think it’s kind of cute to ask them. I mean the obvious answer is like yeah obviously, but it reinvigorates the love in the relationship and makes it a little more cutesy. Even though sometimes it may feel less exciting, I think a day like Valentine’s Day can make that a lot more fun.”
Dominic Saldivar
Junior
Music Education
“I think that’s cute, but I also feel like that’s a juvenile thing. I feel like that’s something you have in high school relationships and you’re trying to ask someone to go out on Valentine’s Day with you. I feel like with more mature relationships, you’re with each other so much, that what’s the point of asking because who else are you gonna go out with?”
Katriane Creel
Senior
Hospitality Management and Tourism
Question: Do you think the expectations and/or obligations associated with Valentine’s Day take away the romance?
“It doesn’t matter if the obligation is there or not, the idea of something being romantic doesn’t stem from the idea of someone having an obligation to do it, because it’s romantic regardless because he’s doing it for you.”
Ty Gary
Junior
Hospitality Management and Tourism
Question: If the materialistic aspect of Valentine’s weren’t there, would it still serve as a romantic holiday?
“I don’t think people have to necessarily own up to that standard where they have to go all out for Valentine’s Day, even though it’s like a romantic holiday. Different couples may either go all out or have another form of romance going on, like they could be intimate instead of going all out and just focus on the intimacy.”
Nhan Ngo
Junior
Hospitality Management and Tourism
