Valentines Day Etiquette for Men 2013

Over the Counter Etiquette

by Harold Almon baesoe.com
Be at Ease School of Etiquette Austin

Valentines Day is on Thurday. Yes, you still have to go to work; but tomorrow you two can take the day off, put in your request now.  On Valentines day there can be hugs and kisses, X's and O's, but actually what someone is looking to see is roses and chocolates. Take the cell; call someone. It can be a single red rose, she wakes up to, she will tell them so, and chocolates, enough to share with the folks at the office.

You could wake up early, and share Breakfast in bed. The menu: Organic sparkling cider, I suggest white grape, and a B Jack: biscuit, ham, egg, and cheese sandwich, open face, no sauce, and sliced  in half, with grapes, – on a tray with a place mat. Red silly. Oh yes and coffee, French Vanilla. – with chocolate to go in it. A menu card may list the courses for her. A favorite flower might go in a bud vase or to be lain across the tray.

Flowers are to be sent to her office or home, near to someone to whom she is going to boast to about you. There is to be a card that on the outside says, “From Your Valentine:” or “For my Valentine.” On the inside it can say, “ I Honor, Appreciate, Thank, Crave, and Love You. - Circle the words at will. I do." If you want someone new, or mad at you, to be your Valentine your card might read, “If I declare war on you, would that help you capture me?” The card is to go inside an envelope: front facing to the back.

At the door – on the return, there might be balloons with a note that says, “Love lives within.” A bubble bath: if she never takes it. A movie rental: This night: The Tourist. A note could say, “You should be sleepy. I have loved you all day while you were away.” There is to be time to take that walk ‘cause you promised, to watch a sunset, and a promise to love her until the earth stops spinning and the sun no longer returns.

There is to be dinner, ordered in (the restaurant will need the seats, you can eat in one come Friday or Saturday night.) It can be a picnic on the floor in front of the TV: I would say fireplace,- and maybe, but this too is a movie rental night. You can switch these events around if you would like. The are to be candles; candle wicks are to be pre-lit, put out, and then ready to be lit again, and carats when you can afford them. "A man is judged by the size of the jewelry on his woman’s hand." She has three months salary on it." I know, but that was a long time ago. Time for something new.

For dinner you will need another place setting and another menu card. (Sign this one at the end of the night.) For now, establish a cover: a place setting for one. Then make another. – Next to her place setting you may place a piece of dark chocolate or a chocolate rose (from a dollar store.) For food: Your caterer can be a local restaurant or grocery store. It can be a Big M - or a heart shaped pizza - something…, served on a plate, cut in half. There is to be something to drink with that; it can be "Virgin."

There is to be dessert: Ice cream with White Chocolate & Raspberries, in a glass & Coffee, in a cup: & Cherry almond Biscotti. It can be something dark chocolate, or a pair of chocolate covered strawberries. You get my drift.

And there is to be sleep with rose petals placed inside a pillow, so that when laundry is done, the day is remembered. There is to be a mint or something with cinnamon in it - what’s next goes best without bad breath…There is to be a gift: something small and maybe stuffed that can be kept forever, and a card that could read, “You should sleep well tonight. I have loved you all day long." "Again – my friend."

You can start to do part or all of the above on any random Thursday. Hurry, it is almost Valentines Day where you get to say,

For My Valentine

You should know

I would defy law, stay away from war

and risk death by an Emperor

for the privilege of marrying you (again.)

Happy Valentines Day

Did I tell you,

I would give up war

for the opportunity

of marrying you -

I do.

It is how the day got started, if the rumors are true.

Set the stage, a little each day. Remember your rule and role. You are a prince. Practice.  Practice.