There are people who actually look forward to Valentines Day. The ones who buy heart-shaped pillows, plush toys and chocolates, who make bookings at over-priced restaurants and smile encouragingly at other love-struck couples. You may even think you’ve never met one of these baffling individuals but that's only because they're careful not to openly articulate their weakness for fear of public condemnation. I know because I may have even been one of them, a long time ago, when I was young and naïve. Before I was in a relationship.

It would be easy, from the number of ranting articles one reads around this time of year outlining the plight of singles negotiating their way through the difficult few weeks from New Years hang-over to the most romantic day of the year, to believe that singles have it the roughest during this special time, lying by the phone waiting for it to ring, staring out of windows and into the rain, generally drowning in their loneliness.

But it’s ain’t peachy for couples either. Spare a thought for those in relationships who are forced to spend an entire night with their partners, whispering sweet nothings when they'd much rather be watching the cricket.

And if this isn't nauseating enough, the issue of present-giving is absolutely ridden with minefields, especially dangerous for the inexperienced. The search for the perfect present which is functional yet romantic, the perfect combination of heart-felt, silly, personal yet practical. One feels the need to choose a present which ‘says the right thing’ about the relationship, whatever stage it's at.

Often, an earlier “let’s not get each-other anything” conversation culminate in an awkward moment at the dinner table when one partner reveals they mistakenly believed the other really meant it.

The stress of where to spend the evening fast becomes a matter of contention when the night before, noone can remember who was supposed to book the restaurant. Then, in one last surge of romantic spirit, every eating establishment in a 100km radius laughs openly when you enquire if they may have a table free for the evening.  There is nothing remotely romantic about drive-through Maccas.

I often feel that my single friends are the happiest during this period. For them, St Valentines Day has an air of promise and mystery. Who will they spend the night with? And if they don’t end up with a date, they always end up having a better time with their single friends anyway, drinking too much and laughing about what a ridiculous and contrived Hallmark Holiday it is.

So if you are single this Valentines Day, please spare a thought for those unlucky individuals who have someone they have to spend it with. And just think, with the number of break-ups which occur on the day, with any luck you’ll be one of the unlucky ones next year.

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