I think my colleagues think I'm a bit of a spoil-sport. I spent a few minutes this morning explaining the history of Valentines Day to them - except they regard it as "attacking" the day...

There were at least three St Valentines, and nobody knows exactly which one's martyrdom is being celebrated today. Whoever it was, he was, I believe, stoned to death by the Romans. However prior to this brutal execution, this date was a pagan celebration of love - it was believed that it was on this date that the birds would choose their nesting mate for the season.

My colleagues seem to think it's a bad thing that I know some of the history and significance of what we celebrate these days as Valentines Day. However it is my view that the general populace should be educated in these matters. Then they could choose whether or not to celebrate depending on whether the events of the past mean anything to them instead of just jumping on Hallmark's bandwagon! I'm sure all holidays and celebrations were made mainstream only by the greeting card industry!