Traditional Love  Does Valentine's Day Make You Cringe?
sweethearts candies One writer learned the secret to avoiding
cynicism every February 14th.  Over the years, I've watched
parades of happy couples file through the doors, and witnessed
many a would-be Romeo propose to his future wife. At times, said
proposal has involved the server holding onto the actual
engagement ring—never the best idea!—and then presenting it
during dinner on a tray with a single red rose.  I've observed
countless other spectacles on or around February 14. Take, for
example, the elderly rich man I waited on last year at a
restaurant in New York City. His Valentine's dates were two
young blonde girls with tiny waists and tall heels. They wore
white fur coats and shyly gestured at the menu, speaking every
so often in pronounced Russian accents. Throughout each course,
the women picked at their food, only eating half of what they
ordered. Meanwhile, their host continued to dote over them,
granting their every request, and concluding