Valentine’s Day is probably one of the most criticized holidays worldwide. While those with a particularly romantic streak look forward to it and make plans involving champagne, fancy dinners, and elaborate flower arrangements, others dread this day and maintain that it was invented by greeting card companies to maximize profits and torture unhappy single people.
In any case, Valentine’s Day is hard to escape, especially if couples’ activities and love interests are the main topic of conversation among your friends. But, let’s face it, everyone — including single people and couples who don’t quite get the romantic urgency of this day — can have a good time on 14 February because Valentine’s Day is not just for those who are in love.
Pink Outfits and Ice Breaker Games
Many InterNations members got a head start on their Valentine’s Day celebrations this year. The community in Houston hosted a St. Valentine Rehearsal on Tuesday, 9 February, and gave expats and global minds the opportunity to test one of the best venues in town for future date nights. Thanks to holiday treats and the great company, no one could deny that love was in the air.
The Pre-Valentine’s Day Event in Grenoble on Wednesday, 10 February, was all about getting to know each other. The art gallery / restaurant was filled to the brim with expats ready to find their match or simply have a good time. The icebreaker games added to the fun as InterNations members and other global minds flocked to the venue.
The event in Algiers operated under the motto “Connecting Global Hearts”. On Thursday, 11 February, happy couples and single expats flocked to the Hotel Oasis to enjoy the sea view, live music, and finger food.
For their Pre-Valentine’s Day Celebration on Saturday, 13 February, the community in Manila went all out. Women came dressed in their favorite pink outfit and had the chance to win a surprise gift. Those who preferred a different color pallete could still participate in a raffle for a chance to win. But the biggest highlight of the evening was the great company and the hearts that were won all around.
Of course, we didn’t forget about all those single people on this year’s Valentine’s Day.
The Munich Singles Group invited all of their members to a Valentine’s Day Brunch with Live Music on Sunday, 14 February. It was the perfect opportunity for all those without a date (and those who were happy not to have to celebrate this day in the first place) to enjoy a nice, relaxed Sunday.
Global minds in St. Petersburg also got to have their own Singles’ Sunday. The St. Petersburg Singles Group met at a British pub to enjoy some fish and chips and the tunes of a blues band over a pint.
The Istanbul Party Zone Group went in a slightly different direction this year and hosted an Anti-Valentine’s Day Party. Everyone who felt like protesting Valentine’s Day, be it for moral or emotional reasons, was welcome to join.
A Time to Celebrate Friendships
Now that Valentine’s Day, the day of love and romance, is over and done with, we should all use this opportunity to celebrate friendship: the friendships we have and the ones that may still come to be. After all, we all know that real friends are hard to find and that the end of a friendship can be almost as painful as the end of a relationship. At some of our upcoming events, you can meet other global minds, celebrate your expat friendships, and make some new ones along the way.
Global minds in Düsseldorf get to go out and celebrate on Friday, 19 February. So, dust off your party shoes and put on your favorite outfit to party in style! InterNations members will meet at Dr. Thompson’s, a former power station turned into a restaurant and club. The food there is delicious, so make sure to book a table if you want to have dinner before hitting the dance floor.
Our community in Toulouse invites expats and global minds to a very British evening on Thursday, 25 February. Enjoy the British atmosphere with delicious finger food and beer. If you come to an event for the first time, are new in Toulouse or simply want to meet some great people, make sure to stop by the Newcomer’s desk.
On Thursday, 25 February, you get to meet new people in Chicago at an event better than any Valentine’s Day party. We’ll have some fun playing golf at an indoor golf club and mingling with other global minds.
Whether you believe in celebrating love and romance once a year, or would rather spend the day with your friends, it is always important to set aside some time for your loved ones. Tell us how you celebrated Valentine’s Day this year or if you celebrated it at all!
Image credit: 1) Barn Images, 2-5) InterNations, 6) SplitShire
Cecilia says
Me parece hermoso que se hayan reunido y celebrado este día en tantos lugares del mundo. Falto grupo de Ecuador. Yo viajó a Köln, Alemania en abril y me gustaría contactar mas personas durante mi estadía allá.
Margit says
Hi Cecilia,
Maybe you can meet international people in Cologne, Germany, at some events and activities in April. To see the planned events for another InterNations Community, please follow the advice from our FAQ:
https://www.internations.org/support/faq/events-activities-groups#17486
Best,
Margit