In my mid-thirties, I was dating a German man who was new to Canada. He hadn't yet been here 2 years. The night before our first Valentine's Day, I asked if he had made a restaurant reservation. He asked why because we often ate out and I responded that the next day was Valentine's Day, the restaurants would be busy. I explained the tradition.

It turns out that it's really helpful to date someone in your new culture since they can clue you in -- I had done it many times before and he always appreciated it, however this time he didn't believe me. Not the tradition part; he couldn't believe that, with all of the restaurants in Ottawa, they would all be busy and we wouldn't be able to get into our regular places, or somewhere "more fancy," as he put it. I let it go and chuckled to myself.

At work on Valentine's Day morning, several helpful colleagues asked him if he had made restaurant reservations yet. We're all so helpful. They too, had probably explained customs in the past.

Someone must have emphasized
how very important it is to take your girlfriend
out for dinner on Valentine's Day, and
buy her chocolates, flowers, things like that.

"They expect it."

He started to get concerned. He didn't have time to call anywhere at lunchtime so he tried after work. I guess this is when the panic set in. He called 7 restaurants and there wasn't a single space at a time when we would want to, umm, eat dinner.

I was meeting him at his place. Now, you have to understand that I'm pretty laid back and not the type to anger over this. In my mind, I had given him fair warning, he ignored it, and he would know better next time. No need to emphasize the point -- I could sit back and enjoy this! He, on the other hand, was noticeably agitated. He explained what he had been through and that he finally, finally had found a restaurant and... I don't know how familiar you are with the stereotypes of Germans and their beer, but he was really, really looking forward to that first one.

The restaurant was brand new and one we hadn't tried. Great! We arrived and walked through the doors to discover... that it was almost completely empty. And my dear boyfriend, well, his face fell when he discovered the reason. They were so new they hadn't yet received their licence to sell liquor!

The food was delicious, the evening was happy, and it all ended well. They had seated us in a small room and as their liquor licence took effect at midnight, midway through dinner and already late, they decided there was no harm in pouring us some wine.

I still think of him every Valentine's Day!
(And chuckle.)

Images

Heart image from Pixabay.

This is a story I posted last Valentine's Day before I had many followers.
Enjoy!
@kansuze