英语原文

Don't expect a lot

If you are single, expectations are naturally likely to be pretty low, but bear in mind that this is likely to be a rubbish day for people in a relationship, too. Nothing kills spontaneity like having a date pencilled in the diary 12 months in advance, and even rock-solid partnerships can crack a little under the weight of expectations come 14 February. Try to relax, as this will reduce the risk of Valentine's-induced arguments. It is worth noting that women buy 85 per cent of Valentine's Day cards, so your chances of being surprised with a gem from Clinton are significantly higher if you are a man.

Plan

This is equally important whether you are single or coupled. It isn't just cosy Italian restaurants that like to embrace the Valentine's theme; your local greasy spoon may offer only the "Valentine's Menu". Even hip clubs get in on the act with "Valentine's Balls" – a phrase that conjures up awful visions of school discos. If you want to avoid these delights, you've got to do your research.

Consider ignoring it

Difficult to do, but worth a try. Every shop has been steadily filling up with Valentine's gifts for weeks, and supermarket checkouts are infested by chocolate "love bugs". Unless you're a churchgoer, claim to be abstaining on religious grounds – the day is thought to have been named after early Christian martyrs called Valentine – and ignore the whole sorry event.

Treat yourself

If you're single, it can be depressing to see your coupled-up friends being showered with gifts and zipping away on mini-breaks. But there's no reason singles should be left out. If you've been dreaming of a volume of love poetry – or even a scarlet number from Ann Summers for a special occasion – just buy them for yourself.

中文翻译

期望值别太高

如果你单身，期望值自然是可能非常低。但是请记住，即便对恋爱中的人来说也很可能是无意义的一天。小事会破坏约会这样自然而然的事情，毕竟这个日子是事先在1年的日记中标好了的；而且在2月14日期望的重压之下，哪怕是坚若磐石的关系也会出现一丝裂痕。尝试着放松，因为这能减少由情人节引起争吵的风险。值得注意的是，85%的情人节贺卡都被女人买去了，所以如果你是一个男人，那么你因收到一份克林顿珍贵礼物而惊喜的机会就会大很多。

计划很重要

无论你是单身还是已经恋爱了，这都很重要。不一定要舒适而喜欢环绕情人节主题的意大利餐厅；你们本地的廉价餐馆就能提供最好的“情人节菜单”。甚至街舞俱乐部也开始表演“Valentine's Balls”——在校园迪斯科舞会上做出吓人的视觉效果。如果你想避开这些乐子，那么你只能自己去琢磨了。

或者干脆不过情人节

很难做但是值得一试。在这几个礼拜里，每个商店都会放满情人节礼物，“爱情病毒”巧克力也遍布超市收银处。除非你是个经常做礼拜的人（要在宗教区域禁酒——这天被认为是以基督教殉道者瓦伦丁的名字来命名的），否则不用理会这个悲伤的事情。

懂得自娱自乐

你的朋友成双成对地被礼物包围，然后一起去享受甜蜜一刻。如果你单身，看见这些情景是很郁闷的。但这并不意味着单身者就只能看热闹。如果你曾想拥有一本爱情诗集——甚至于Ann Summers里面的一件猩红色衣物——为了你的某个“特别时刻”——那么就为自己买下来。（Ann Summers为英国性用品店；“特别时刻”应指“自慰”；猩红色衣物应是为“助性”之用——译注。）