I don't believe in Valentine's Day. I believe it's a marketing day for big companies. So yesterday, even though my office was decorated with heart shaped red and white ballons ( but we didn't even get a chocolate as gift). I didn't feel anything abouot the day. For me, it was just like any other day. But when I left office late in the evening, I thought of giving myself a treat and go for a dinner and a cocktail- alone, as I am used to doing. So, I went to a nice, family restaurant where I often go, mostly alone. It was around 8 PM and as that restaurant doesn't fill up till 9, I thought I'll get a place easily and enjoy my dinner.

Unfortunatley, it seemed that all families in the vicinity had come down for a Valentine dinner and the restaurant's seats were full with chattering couples. As many people were waitig outside. I asked, how long it will take to get a seat? They said, 20-25 minutes. But I saw a couple getting a seat immediately. Apparently, they did not want a single customer that night.

I walked out feeling humiliated.

Nearby, there is another restaurant. With limited menu and exhorbitant prices and that's why it's usually empty. Last evening, even that place was full and many people were crowding outside to get a place. I too went and stood there trying to catch the attention of the manager ( or whoever that person was at the door, trying to accomodate people). The person in front of me asked for a table for two. He was told to "wait for 5 minutes". Next I asked, " A table for one person?" " It will take time"- I was told." How long?" I asked again. "Half an hour" came the reply". The way it was said, I knew that even if I waited there for an hour, I will not get a seat there. It was Valentine's Day. A single person will not spend as much as a couple will and so no restaurant will enetratin me that night.

I was furious, and felt tears of humiliation in my eyes and came back home.

It is another story that I got a bottle of Vodka, got some delicious things pakced for dinner and had a good time while having dinner at home and drinking my homemade cocktail of Vodka & fruite juice.

But the question is, isn't this a kind of racism against single? Why a single person is treated as an untouchable on Valentine's day? Why I was made to feel a social outcast?

What would you do if you face such situation?