The Telescope

Issue Date: 2/8/10

Valentine's Day for the boys

By Typhanie Sharfner

Media Credit: Joseph Bonnet

Valentine's Day: A day to lavish your female counterpart with undeserving gifts of flowers and candy to keep her quiet and hopefully get lucky. But a dozen roses that inevitably die cost more than $50, a box of candy can run $12 and if you go out, you are stuck spending upwards of $100 to wait in a long line and enjoy a "romantic" dinner elbow to elbow with the other poor schmucks trying to avoid the wrath of a scorned lover.

So you suck it up, shell out the money and avoid the worst while hoping for the best.

When did Valentine's Day become all about the girl? Isn't it a day of love, a day to show your affection?  It 's becoming more of a chore, and guys seem to get lost in the flowers and chocolate and before you know it, the day is over. The girl is hopefully satisfied while the guy is left with an empty wallet.

Palomar student Chris Hawkins agrees there are unfair expectations.

"Girls want the most expensive of everything - the most expensive flowers and the most expensive candy that they won't even eat. The fact I got them anything at all shows I love them," Hawkins said.

This year, break the cycle ladies. If you're expecting something, you should be returning the favor.

They may not want the flowers or candy, but there are plenty of ways to express how much you like and care about them, no matter what stage in the relationship you are. Simply pay attention. Knowing their personality, hobbies, likes and dislikes can give you ideas.

If he is into the outdoors, go camping for the weekend. Go on a hike, fishing, rock climbing, the shooting range or hunting. Palomar student Kirby Searson suggests mountain biking as a good outdoor activity.

Take a sunny day and go to the beach. Rent some jet skis for the day or take a boat ride. Plane lessons are an unusual gift but sure to earn brownie points. It's pretty inexpensive, about $50, but the first lesson usually includes being able to fly a plane.

For the guy who likes to watch sports, Palomar student Anthony Okipnti suggests getting tickets to a game.

For a cheaper alternative, borrow or rent a big screen TV for game day and throw a party. Get chips, dips and other snacks and enjoy the game. This is also cool for those who like video games.  A huge screen and a day of video games along with bottomless snacks are sure to be a hit.

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