Do you mark Valentine's Day?

Daheem Hassan Accountant

I don't believe in Valentine's Daybecause it's not a part of my religion. I only celebrate religious occasions. I don't understand why people waste their time on such things. Instead we should be working for social causes. Besides there are 365 days in a year to express your feelings so why focus on just one?

Hadid al Matine Cashier

No I do not. Islam doesn't encourage celebrating such days. A lot of people are copying the West and celebrating a day which holds no importance in our religion. I don't believe in celebrating holidays such as New Year's either. I celebrate the Islamic New Year.

Ahmed al Siyabi. Bank inventory officer

I don't believe in celebrating Valentine's Day as it does not hold much importance in Oman. People send each other messages and that's all there is to the day here. We don't mark New Year's Day either but only celebrate Eid with fanfare.

Dinesh Udeshi Commercial manager

Valentine's Day helps develop close bonds of friendship. Although I feel the day is for youngsters people my age too celebrate it. We go to the beach or host parties and exchange flowers and gifts.

Abdulmajeed al Balushi Businessman

I don't think many people in Oman celebrate this day. I find it genuine. If you love someone you should be able to tell this to that person every day through words and actions. I think it is okay to celebrate foreign or international holidays as well but one shouldn't forget one's own culture and values.

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What were your expectations from your partner? Did you plan any surprises?

Zainab Javed Homemaker

For me it is all about spending some quality time with my husband. I had a surprise for him. Valentine's Day is very special for us because we got engaged on this day. I was expecting him to make me dinner and watch a movie together.

Anam Ameen Homemaker

I don't expect my husband to do anything special for me on Valentine's Day as he is someone who believes in making every day a special one. I had a small surprise planned for him.

Osman Khan Marketing executive

My wife always plans surprises for me. I too had a surprise for her which was a little different than usual.

Amir Haral Engineer

I was looking forward to a nice home-cooked dinner with my favourite dessert. I think every day is a celebration. I had also planned to gift her something special.

Priyanka Patel Marketing executive

I am expecting my partner to organise a nice dinner and take me out on a long drive once he returns from his trip abroad. I have also been dropping hints regarding what I want as gift.

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What are your views on the trend of commercialising occasions like Valentine's Day?

Santoshi Hota Private sector employee

I do not believe in the idea of having just one day to profess your love. For chocolatiers greeting card manufacturers jewellers and restaurateurs this is a lucrative opportunity. People should understand that expressing an emotion like love does not depend on material things or just one day of the year. If it does it is not love.

Aliva Maharana Homemaker

Commercialising an occasion takes away the special feeling associated with it. The essence of the day is lost when the importance shifts to products from that special person. For businesses this is one of those days when they can make money.

Faisal Aly Saleh al Kalbani Government employee

I do not like this trend of commercialising every occasion. Gifts are not the only way to express your love. If Valentine's Day is the day for professing your love then there are better ways of doing it. A better way would be to spend time with the ones you love and tell them what they mean to you.

Manaa Rashid Khalaf al Hinai Government employee

I think business houses go full throttle into marketing such occasions as they know people will definitely spend. If people give up the idea of showering gifts to express love then I am sure these gimmicks will fail. It seems ridiculous that we need a particular day to express our love to our dear ones.

Khalid Khamis Hamad al Kalbani Student

We don't need a particular day to express our feelings. Business houses are playing on people's emotions to make money. They use all channels to commercialise any occasion and Valentine's Day is no different. If we understand this I am sure all

occasions will be more than just exchanging gifts.

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What does Valentine's Day mean to you?

Dipankar Choudhury Banker

For me Valentine's Day is like any other day because I don't subscribe to the idea of having one day for expressing love. The day has been commercialised so much that it is more of a marketing tool for companies.

Nivedita Choudhury Teacher

On this day I try to do something special. As far as expressing love is concerned I don't wait for Valentine's Day. I can show my love for my dear ones any time and on any day.

Arpita B Private sector employee

Valentine's Day is the day of love. This love could be for anyone but most people believe it is a day celebrated only by couples. I wish my parents my siblings and even my friends on this day.

Rajiv Sharma Private sector employee

Valentine's Day for me means going a step ahead in making the people I love feel special. I celebrated the day by wishing my two year old daughter. I gifted her a teddy bear and a rose.

Nivedita Dash Private sector employee

For me this is the day when you show your loved ones that you care and spend time with them. It does not just mean giving red roses to my partner. We usually celebrate the day by going out for dinner.