Issue Date: 
Mar 9 2006 - 11:00pm
Author: 
Page3
Topics: 
city living

It will soon be Valentine’s Day—the third most lucrative retail festival after Christmas and Chinese New Year. We will let the mainstream media inundate you with ways to convince your loved ones that the love of money is indeed the root of all evil (whatever that means). We will tell you how to prove to your loved ones that you love them despite not spending any money on them.V is for Value their company: Spend time with your loved ones. You don’t have to actually do anything together, just be within sight and shouting range.A is for Accept them for who they are: Too many couples coalesce their two personalities into a single amalgam. Such drastic change might produce frogs.L is for Learn to forgive: Your significant other will sometimes do or say things that irritate and annoy the ants out of your pants—but it makes them happy.E is for Expect change: People change—with environment, experiences, evolution. Embrace the changed person—you prefer a dummy?N is for Note the little things: Note casual remarks that your loved ones make, then surprise them later by referring to them. It saves on real conversation.T is for Tell white lies: Know that “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” is not always a good idea. Nothing beats a good story.I is for I am not the center of the world: You are an important part of your loved ones’ world—but not all of it. They need time away from you, everybody does.N is for Never the kids: This is for the married folk. Never use “the kids” as an excuse for not showing your spouse concern, care, love or affection. Just don’t do it in front of the kids.E is for End: Hey, there’s only so much advice one can dish out. The rest is up to you.Happy Valentine’s Day!