“Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Oh, thank God,
I’m no longer dating you.”
Valentine’s Day is getting edgier. To begin with, have you seen the new surge of witty anti-Valentine’s Day cards? Sample this: “Single on Valentine’s Day. Yippee! More money for car parts!” or even this: “ Hey you dropped something. My standards .” And now come the parties.
From being a day dedicated to fussing over significant love interests, this year, Valentine’s Day has suddenly taken a wicked turn. It’s all about celebrating singlehood. And in a few cases, making fun of exes. That’s a topic that can turn even the most unimaginative into Ogden Nash.
While we aren’t sure what brought this on, the anti-Valentine’s Day party is a novel way for many greeting card, merchandise companies and commercial establishments to rake in the moolah.
Recharge Bar, at Asiana Place Hotel, is all set for their first single’s-only party. Ambika Deshmukh, marketing manager, says, “Every year, February 14 has mushy activities for couples. There’s nothing really fun to do for singles. That’s how the anti-Valentine’s Day party idea came about. Initially, the management was apprehensive, but with the response we received, they are now convinced about the idea. So far, 300 clients have already made bookings for the event this evening,” she smiles.
These are a mix of singles and groups of friends who want to spend the evening together. And the DJ is steering clear of romantic tracks.
In the directory of the love-struck, V may stand for Valentine’s Day, but at Hoppipola, V is for vodka. “We know love stinks, let’s get lucky with drinks,” reads one of their promos. The bar’s outlets in Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai and Kolkata are following a similar theme. For once, the décor won’t be run-of-the-mill red hearts and balloons dangling from the ceiling. Instead, there will be black hearts aplenty.
Plan B on Richmond Road in Bangalore gives you a free shot if you run your exes’ photographs through a paper shredder. For those with a history of failed relationships, this is your chance to make the most of it. Forget your broken heart; at least you won’t have to pay for your drinks. The Chennai branch seems amused with this, but plans to do something as brash next year.
A radio channel has an even more bizarre idea. It offers biryani as a reward to the person who sasses his/her ex the most. Meanwhile, a biryani-loving colleague is jotting down as many annoying things about her ex as she can recall. “Anything for biryani,” she grins.
This may be the first time something like this is happening in Chennai, but it’s a thriving concept abroad. The theme gets wackier with every passing year. There are helpful blogs and portals that tell you how to throw the perfect anti-Valentine’s Day bash. Could it perhaps be because singles with feisty tales about past relationships are far more entertaining than predictable coy couples struck by Cupid?
