Editor’s note: it’s Friday. I’ve been slaving over a writing project and my brain cells are down to triple digits. I’m tired of the sound of my own voice, so this post is (mostly) just for fun.
Ah, Valentine’s Day. A day for romance. A a day for flower shops, card sellers and chocolatiers.
If you’re single, or just not into the hearts and flowers, you’ll be just as glad when it’s over.
Wait. There’s an antidote.
In 1996 I invented a feast day for me and my female friends who aren’t into the fluff and forced romance of Valentine’s Day. I picked February 13, and I named it Valenschtunken. Pronounce it “valenschtoonken.” Say it with gusto. This is how it goes:
We will eat beans
We will drink beer
We will sing Viking songs.
We don’t actually do the beans, beer, or sing at the top of our lungs around a roaring fire. The feast is virtual. It’s an email message that goes to a small but growing group every February 13. We’ve become an informal, not-so-secret club that revels in turning an idea on its head.
I have nothing against Valentine’s Day; it’s just not my thing. When I invented Valenschtunken, I was recovering from a Very Big Mistake, and was not in the mood to hear about romance. I’ve been happily shacked up for years since then, but I’m still not into the whole Valentine’s Day thing. Valenschtunken is more fun. (I live in fear that my allegedly made-up word is some form of a real word and I’ve offended someone, but so far that hasn’t happened.)
Grab the lemons and make lemonade
When marketers focus on a demographic, there’s an opportunity. When they focus on a huge chunk of the population, there will be people who feel left out in a big way. That creates an opening for gutsy, contrarian, and creative ideas. You don’t have to come out swinging—Valenschtunken isn’t anti-Vday, it’s a fun alternative.
Thumbing your nose at a way of thinking and creating something in protest has sparked some brilliant art and music. The status quo provides endless opportunities for innovation. It gives you leverage. You can stick your tongue out at it, pull out your big box of crayons, and have some fun.
So if you’d rather have a bouquet of spring rolls instead of roses, this one’s for you. Happy Valenschtunken.
Over to you: What do you like to do in the middle of February? What product or service do you love that steps out of the mainstream? What idea would you like to turn on its head?
Possibly related posts:
Back at you, Stacey, happy Valenschtunken!
I used to celebrate February as “the month of singing frogs,” delighting in their chorus during most of the month. Winter is the rainy season, here. But the last few years, California’s suffered severe drought so, alas, no singing frogs.
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Stacey Cornelius Reply:
February 14th, 2010 at 12:06 am
That puts a whole different perspective on things, Sally. Sorry to hear you’re still dealing with the drought. Hope you get some rain soon.
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