Valentine’s Traditions Around the World

Different ways other countries celebrate V-Day!

Destiny-Faith White, Staff Writer

Have you ever wondered how other countries celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Across the United States, February 14th marks a day of candy, flowers, gifts, and romantic dates but other countries have their own unique ways to celebrate the love-filled holiday.

- In Slovenia there is a popular belief that birds ‘propose’ to each other on Valentine’s Day, It’s said that in order to witness this occasion, one must walk barefoot through fields that are usually frozen.

- Bulgarian couples celebrate their love with a glass of wine while they exchange special handcrafted wooden spoons.

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- In England, women used to place 5 bay leaves on their pillows in order to bring dreams of their future husbands.

- Japan does it quite differently and the women actually buy gifts and chocolates for their male partners, Men aren’t allowed to return any of the gifts until the “White Day ‘’ on March 15th.

Damar Hamlin

- On March 15th, in Miao, southwest China, the “Sisters’ Meal ‘’ festival is celebrated. Women wear silver accessories and over the top dresses and they cook various dishes of colored rice that is then offered to young men that are walking on the road. Inside the rice, the women hide either two chopsticks which mean love or a clove of garlic which unfortunately means the love is over before it even started. The destiny of the love lies in whatever dish the young men decide to choose.

Damar Hamlin and the dangers of football

Mimi Lunsford, Staff Writer

Damar Hamlin is a 24-year-old safety for the New York Buffalo Bills. Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during the first quarter of the Bill’s Monday night game against the Bengals. He received a hard hit to the chest and tried to hop up and continue playing but he collapsed almost immediately. He received CPR on the field for eight minutes before his heartbeat was restored. Hamlin was then taken by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Hamlin remained in critical condition for a couple of days and was discharged after 9 days in the hospital. There is currently no information on if or when Hamlin will be able to return to playing but this horrible accident brings to light many controversial safety concerns. The dangers of football are widely known yet the game is astronomically more dangerous when basic medical and safety con- cerns start to get overlooked.

The most prominent health concern in the NFL today is head injuries and brain trauma. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins quarterback, has been battling spine and brain trauma after he received a concussion during a game earlier in the season and then after getting cleared, having another traumatic blow just four days after. A full investigation has been launched into the NFL’s concussion protocols because of this life-threatening “hiccup.”

Research has shown that those who suffer from one or more concussions are more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other brain-related illnesses. In football, 65% to 95% of all injuries are made up of concussions. The chances of getting a head injury in the NFL occur at a rate of one every 5 games. It has also been proven that at least 40% of former NFL

Valentine’s Day is a global phenomenon. Everywhere you go there is some sort of “love” holiday paraphernalia for sale, you simply can not escape it. While this seems coincidental it is all very planned and ultimately targeted for the vulnerable consumer.

Around the month of February, the in-person shopper could expect targeted sales, love filled greeting cards, and massive teddy bears right at a store’s entrance.

According to Hallmark, they sell an estimated 145 million Valentines Day cards each year. Most people also give their loved ones a gift–most commonly candy or flowers. Also, jewelry is consistently the “big ticket” purchase year after year.

Unfortunately, due to the recent inflation increases, candy, flowers, gold and silver have increased in price by around 12% when compared to last year. Even with the increased prices, consumers surveyed by The Balance estimates that 30% of people will continue to spend $100 or more on their partner this year.

Consumers in America spent $23.9 billion on Valentine’s Day last year–during which we saw an increased inflation rate as well. However, the holiday has seen a $10.5 billion spending increase in the 13 years between 2007-2020. It is likely that Valentine’s Day spending will continue to rise with or without increased inflation.

Despite consumers tailing back players have traumatic brain damage. Along with the danger of head injuries, the NFL also has alarmingly high rates of the knee, foot, and shoulder injuries. spending in other parts of their lives, it is apparent that Americans love to celebrate love and will make sure that there is more than enough room in their budgets for Valentine’s Day spending.

When the statistics are seen, many people being to think, is the entertainment of Monday Night football worth the risk? Football has always been known as a dangerous sport but maybe we should start to think of it as too dangerous. The risk is extremely high but many passionate players argue that the reward is worth their risk. Everyone has their own opinions and chances they are willing to take and many will support their decision.