Economics of V Day

A 2007 "survey" by the National Retail Federation (which explains a lot about where this is coming from) stated the average male was expected to spend $156.22 on their sweetheart for Valentine's Day.  There is no breakdown as far as how much of that total is for gas carting her to and fro but I'd rather not rant about why this country is wasting its time invading an oil producing country yet prices at the pump skyrocket.  

The study does say popular gifts include:

Flowers - 58.3%

Cards - 56.7% (who the fuck thinks a card is a "gift")

An evening out - 53.1%

Candy - 42.9%

The idiocy of this report continues with this gem: "Men continue to be the primary spenders when it comes to splurging on gifts for Valentine's Day."  No shit Sherlock.  The masters of the obvious went on to say that the sky is blue and Paris Hilton is a syphilitic whore. No word yet if the study figured out if Valentine's Day in in February.

Interesting facts from the survey:

-189 million roses produced for 2006 V Day

-Men purchased 74% of the roses

-V Day is the 3rd most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas and Father's Day 

(How the hell is Mother's Day not #1?)

This foolish study wasn't the most ridiculous part of the day though.  Colin Cowheard - who's a jackass but that's not the point - said Lava Life came up with this handy guide to spending:

-$60 and under dating less than two months

-$100 for four months

-$200 four to six months

-$300 six months or longer

Well thank you very much Lava Life, I really appreciate your horse shit slide rule.  I was beginning to think I'd never get laid again.  Then again they have over 71,000 people on their website and I have, ummm, well, zero.