Valentine's day. The 14th of February.
My personal take on it is that it was created by females (and maybe some gay men) to strike dread in the hearts of males worldwide. On this day, and the days leading up to it, males are subjected to immense stress, and on the day itself, their worth as boyfriends are judged.
Most guys don't get what romantic is. It's really a creation of females who want the impossible. However, we have but one option, and that is to pretend we get it.
Every year, there are 3 big hazards for those with girlfriends. The 3 big hazards are, V Day, Christmas, and... her birthday. Somebody save you if you forget the last one, unless you are a gay man.
Here's why V Day is a problem. On any other day, appreciation for your better half is appreciated. On this day, it is EXPECTED. You know how crappy that is? I have to say something nice about you because its V Day and that's what people do on V Day. I have to buy flowers and choose a nice place for dinner. On top of that, I have to behave like the gentleman I'm not. Here's a piece of advice to females. On V Day, you see the best side of a guy, if he has any. If on V Day he's an utter piece of shit, he ain't gonna get any better.
Then there is this thing about peer pressure. The reason why everyone behaves differently on V Day is because the whole world around you changes. Everybody starts selling flowers and chocolates. Everybody starts talking about it, and there is this buzz that is entirely man-made (ok maybe woman-made). If no one gave a shit about V Day, it wouldn't matter. But people want to, and as a result, happiness.
Suddenly you see hearts everywhere, and pictures of happy couples, and jewellery... and anchovies, and orang utans, and breakfast cereal... Sorry I sidetracked a little there, but you get the point.
There is also this thing about how everything is interpreted differently on V Day. On V Day, do not go to town alone. Don't say I didn't warn you. You will be interpreted as sad, lonely, unwanted, or just gay. You have to go out as a couple on V Day. An ornament on one's arm of the opposite gender is a necessary accessory to avoid being judged as a freak. Is it any wonder that the available shun going outdoors like their lives depend on it when V Day comes?
However, V Day is also Friendship day. And it is probably a good time as any to tell or show your friends how much you appreciate them. You can tell them that on a daily basis and they'll probably think you're joking, or just gay. But if you do it on this day, you can say it's because it's friendship day. Then you can get free drinks or gifts because people feel happy being appreciated. Ok maybe that's stretching it a little but yeah, Friendship day ain't too bad.