Valentine’s on a Friday? A Blessing or a Trap?
Ah, Valentine’s Day on a Friday, in theory, it sounds perfect. The weekend starts with romance, no alarms the next day, and an excuse to leave work early.But in reality? It’s a logistical nightmare.
- A sea of last-minute romantics made dinner reservations.
- Traffic is so bad, you’ll age three years in an Uber.
- Work? Still expects you to function while surrounded by heart-shaped distractions.
And the biggest issue? Friday deadlines. Because nothing screams “romance” like your boss dropping a last-minute task at 4:57 PM.
Why a Workday Valentine’s Feels Like a Scam
- Work is still work. No one’s giving you a “Valentine’s Productivity Discount.”
- Couples are panicking because they forgot to plan anything.
- Single people are dodging pity invites to “fun” anti-Valentine’s outings.
- And flowers? Now you get to carry a giant bouquet home on public transport while bombastically side-eyeing people who sneeze too close to you.
Honestly, who benefits from this? (Answer: restaurants and Uber drivers.)
How to Survive a Workday Valentine’s
1. The Great Escape: Leaving Work on Time
If you have actual Valentine’s plans, escaping work is priority #1. But let’s be real—your manager will sense weakness if you try to leave early.
Try these:
- The Fake Appointment Trick: “I have an urgent personal appointment at 4:30.” (Vague, professional, untraceable.)
- The Preemptive Mention: “We have dinner plans at 7, so I need to leave promptly at 5.” (This sets expectations early. Bosses hate surprises more than they hate you leaving on time.)
- The Emergency Exit: If all else fails, fake a “mild but suspicious headache” at 3 PM. Nobody wants a possibly contagious employee ruining their Valentine’s dinner.
2. The Case for Postponing to Saturday
If you’re stuck at work all day anyway, why not postpone?
- Friday traffic? A nightmare.
- Crowded restaurants? Unbearable.
- Saturday plans? Calm, unrushed, and way more thoughtful. Saturday = reservations available. Maybe a galentines with your girls.
- And even better! Sunday = spend the day in your space with your partner or a solo-hugging couch potato binge-watching day.
Try this excuse:
“But wouldn’t you rather have a relaxed, special date instead of a rushed, overpriced one?”
Congratulations, you just got your way into a better Valentine’s experience.
3. Use Work As An Excuse(If Needed)
Not really feeling the whole Valentine’s thing? Your job is the perfect scapegoat(this is not an excuse to be a shitty human being).
- “My boss scheduled a late meeting, can we do something simple?”
- “Work has been exhausting how about a chill night in?”
- “Work has been exhausting how about a chill night in?” are killing me. Can we celebrate this weekend instead?”
Boom. No overpriced dinner, no stress, just sweatpants and freedom.
4. Not Everyone Has a Partner(And That’s Fine)
Valentine’s isn’t just about couples.
- Reconnect with your siblings: Send them a random “Hey, remember when we made fun of Mom’s rom-com phase?” text.
- Get your friends something small: Like a sarcastic card that says “You’ll do.”
- Make a thoughtful gift for your kids: A DIY project instead of a store-bought stuffed bear.
And flowers? Instead of an overpriced bouquet that’ll die in two days, pick a handpicked dandelion from a garden. It’s free, sentimental, and if you say it’s “symbolic of your love enduring through all hardships” your partner might even believe it.
If your partner loves flowers, grab one from a local florist thoughtfulness beats last-minute panic. Pay attention, deliver what they actually want, and you’re golden.
5. The Restaurant Trap: Why You Should Skip Eating Out
Valentine’s restaurant dining is a trap.
- Overpriced prix fixe menus. (Because apparently, regular steak isn’t romantic enough.)
- Slow service. (Your server has been dealing with stressed couples all day.)
- Rushed meals. (You will be subtly kicked out when your 90-minute slot is up.)
And let’s be honest you’re paying extra to eat worse food in a more stressful setting.
If you really want to impress someone, cook at home. It doesn’t need to be fancy. Even burnt pasta is better than a $75 salmon fillet that arrives lukewarm.
Love, Deadlines, and Friday Night Chaos
If your Friday Valentine’s turns into a corporate hostage situation, just remember:
- You’re not alone.
- Traffic is not your fault.
- Saturday brunch exists, and it’s better anyway.
OMG I almost forgot shoutout to display creatives! I just know y’all are gonna eat with the props. I think I’ll enjoy looking at the display art more than anything else this year.
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