Culture Exchange - Valentine’s Day
- shinsevi20
- Feb 14, 2022
- 3 min read
Hello! Hope you are well!
As a teacher, I wanted to use this opportunity to exchange culture and teach useful phrases!
“Love is in the air”
[An expression used to describe the atmosphere of people being or falling in love]
In the UK, Valentine's day is celebrated by both people in the relationship and gift giving is done both ways, usually accompanied by a card.
Typical gifts for him can include: Cologne, Shaving kits, Alcohol
Typical gifts for her usually include: Flowers (red roses), Chocolate, Jewellery
Typical activities: Dinner dates or home cooked meals
“Love is blind”
[used to say that people do not see the faults of the people that they love and that love can go beyond physical appearances]
Valentines can also be celebrated between parents and their children to show appreciation, though this can depend on the family.
Kids can usually celebrate by giving their mother’s flowers or acts of kindness.
(example: breakfast in bed)
The origin of Valentine's Day
A popular belief of the start of Valentines comes from Christianity.
Saint Valentine was a Roman priest who supposedly performed secret marriages.
This was during a time when the Emperor banned soldiers from getting married, believing single men made for better warriors.
Another story involves a different Saint Valentine who was imprisoned and killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons.
During his imprisonment, he fell in love with a young woman and wrote the first Valentine's letter before his execution.
He signed it with “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today.
“Wearing your heart on your sleeve”
[To openly show your emotions for people to see and comment]
Although Valentines is a holiday of love, it is usually reserved for couples and family.
Rarely are gifts given between friends, coworkers or acquaintances; and there is no obligation to do so.
Instead, single people can use the day to find new love through dating activities such as “Blind dates”, “Double dating” or “Speed dating”.
BLIND DATE
[a date between two persons who have not previously met in person]
These are usually set-up by mutual friends (friends who know both people of the date)
DOUBLE DATING
[where 2 couples enjoy a date]
This could include a couple introducing their friends together or a double blind date.
In these situations, the guys would act as each other's wing-man.
Wing-man
[a person who makes their friend look good in front of their crush]
SPEED DATING
[an organised event where people have a series of short conversations with potential partners in order to determine whether they can become a couple]
Symbols of love:
CUPID
A symbol of love in ancient mythology.
Cupid shoots magical gold-tipped arrows.
By piercing people’s hearts with an arrow, they cause individuals to fall deeply in love.
XOXO
This symbolises hugs and kisses from the writer to the reader.
This symbol can be sent at the end of a letter, or nowadays when greeting goodbye in a text message.
RECAP
=Phrases and idioms=
Love is in the air
[An expression used to describe the atmosphere of people being or falling in love]
"I think my friend likes her. Looking at them talking, I can see that love is in the air"
Love is blind
[used to say that people do not see the faults of the people that they love and that love can go beyond physical appearances]
"Everybody thought that he would not make a good match for her, but love is blind"
Wearing your heart on your sleeve
[To openly show your emotions for people to see and comment]
"You’d never be good a poker. You always wear your heart on your sleeve"
Wing-man
[a person who makes their friend look good in front of their crush]
"My brother is my wing-man! He always speaks well about me in front of the girl I like"