3 Reasons Why Men Forget Valentine’s Day
The male editors of
AskMen.comhave helped a lot of dudes survive the aftermath of forgetting V-Day, and in the process we've learned a lot about why they do. There are three simple reasons for why many guys don't recognize February 14 as a special day. (Want to make sure he'll mark it on his calendar? Tell him your planning one of these dates.)
1. Because Our Friends Forget It Too
Women talk about Valentine's Day in the days leading up to it. You'll discuss your plans with your girlfriends and, if none have been made, you'll speculate as to what surprises may be in store. Among men, however, we're lucky if even one of our friends raises the topic - because the rest of us need someone to remind us. Men forget Valentine's Day for the same reason men fumble many relationship matters: We lack a support network to remind us of its importance. The event simply never comes up in conversation until it is raised by our girlfriends... the day after. Why not remind him in advance by sending a sexy text message?
2. Because We're Tired Out From The Pursuit
The pursuit being the pursuit of you. In the early weeks of a relationship, we guys will go all-out planning elaborate dates and romantic surprises. In doing so, we contradict our nature (see reason #3), but competition drives us to persist. We know that there are plenty of other men waiting to swoop in if our courting efforts fail, so we push ourselves into playing the suave Casanovas that we most certainly are not. The pursuit usually proves successful just as exhaustion sets in, and we stop doing all those wonderful things that made you fall for us, leaving you to wonder, "Why doesn't he ever remember Valentine's anymore?" So why not seduce him for a change? These beauty moves will bring him to his knees.
3. Because Our Emotions Are Reactionary
That's to say, we don't show emotions until strongly provoked into doing so. Blame this on generations of fathers who told their sons to "man up" until restraint became part of our genetic code - and acknowledge that, most of the time, you like this quality in us. Of course, women still have the ability to make us fall crazy in love. No woman wants a whimpering wet towel of a partner who's always ready to offer up his feelings, and our awareness of this makes us all the more restrained. So when it comes to Valentine's, that most sentimental of holidays, we are subject to two opposing forces: genetic instincts that tell us to "man up" and resist participating, and social instincts that tell us to get on the phone and ring in some roses. Neurons begin misfiring, the brain shuts down, and, next thing you know... we've forgotten Valentine's Day.
During the ensuing argument, however, we will show emotion. We'll plead and tell you how much we love you, and those of us from poor man-stock may even shed some tears. And though you may dismiss the spectacle as being less sincere for having required activation, it's just the way we men operate. The feelings are there, but they have to be triggered. So once you see them, you can rest assured in the knowledge that we do care about you. We just don't care about Valentine's Day.
Get more from Cosmopolitan.com!
The Bad Girl's Guide to Valentine's Day
Your Guy's "I Love You" Wishlist
How to Look Sexy as Hell on Valentine's Day
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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
