THURSDAY,FEBRUARY 13,2003
VALENTINE'S DAY
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 7
Escape holiday blues
By Kevin Wiggs
kwiggs@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
It's that time of year when couples exchange gifts, plan romantic evenings and stare longingly into each other's eyes while making their single friends sick.
That's right; Valentine's Day is tomorrow, and some of those without significant others are preparing whiskey and nooses.
The relentless barrage of Valentine's Day advertising has made the holiday impossible to ignore and given it potential to cause depression.
John Wade, outreach coordinator and counseling psychologist at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said although the number of depression cases may not go up, people were more focused on relationship issues during Valentine's Day.
"It's certainly on their minds," he said. "Valentine's serves as a reminder because relationships are constantly being shown on TV and talked about with friends."
Wade said those who went to Counseling and Psychological Services for help with Valentine's depression would get help with looking at positive aspects of being single
a relationship to be happy," Wade said.
For those who aren't medically depressed, the answer may be found in a stiff drink and loud music to disrupt the perfectly planned romance occurring next door.
Here are a few fun facts to throw at the obsessed friend who won't shut up about how much he likes this holiday:
Valentine's Day is the remembrance of the bludgeoning and decapitation of Bishop Valentine, who performed illegal marriage ceremonies.
Consumers spend an average of $77.43 on Valentine's Day gifts.
About 3 percent of pet owners get pets Valentine's Day gifts. Few get anything in return except a litter-box surprise.
Fifteen percent of women have sent themselves flowers on Valentine's Day.
More than 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year, making it the second largest card-sending occasion behind Christmas.
Seventy-three percent of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men;27 percent are women.
"We would challenge the idea one needs to be in — Edited by Amber Byarlay
On collecting
Dan Nelson/Kansan
Marjorie Swann, associate professor of English. answers a question from a participant at the Fall 2003 faculty colloquium information session held Monday at the Hall Center for the Humanities.During the session, faculty and students discussed collecting and collectors.The colloquium will explore the ways collecting has affected different cultures and historical periods.