The Most Pedestrian of Holidays
Thursday, February 14th, 2008This is my first Valentine’s Day in San Francisco. Moreover it’s my first Valentine’s Day in any city larger than Nashville - specifically one with a primarily pedestrian demographic.
I don’t care much for this holiday. It has only pertained to me once, in 1997 when I had a long distance boyfriend. He sent me roses at work. I’m still not completely sure how I feel about receiving flowers. It’s kind of emasculating. On the other hand I was surprised at how much it made me blush and smile.
Today as I left work I was amused by the atmosphere of the city. Thicker crowds than usual, people bustled along carrying bouquets of flowers. Everyone seemed uncharacteristic of typical San Francisco: younger, attractive, groomed, and wearing colors. Generally I felt that the city had the same goofy smile that I had eleven years ago standing behind the counter at Kinko’s holding a bouquet of white roses. San Francisco was blushing. It is sweet.
Valentine’s Day makes a lot more sense if you get to share it with sidewalks full of people carrying flowers.