On Thursday it’s Valentine’s Day and if you’ve had your eye on someone special at the office, but haven’t yet taken that all-important 1st step, then use these fun Valentine’s facts to plant the seed when next you’re standing around the water cooler having a chat.
- We all know Valentine’s Day is named after the Christian martyr, St Valentine who lived in the 5th century, but did you know that when the Roman army banned its soldiers from getting married, it was Valentine that would perform the marriages in secret?
- In 1797 printers had begun to produce cards with verses and sketches, called ‘mechanical valentines’.
- In the US, mass-produced Valentines first made their appearance around 1847 – the idea came courtesy of Esther Howland who had received an English Valentine from an associate of her father.
- In the early 19th century Fancy Valentines were made with real lace and ribbons and in 1835, 60,000 Valentine cards were sent by post in Britain.
- Today on average one billion cards are sent worldwide – around 145 million in the US and around 25 million in the UK.
- It was only in the 20th century that flowers and chocolates were included along with the cards.
- And for some, Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to propose – apparently around 10% of all marriage proposals happen on the 14th!
- But be warned, in the US more than 50% of women said they would break up with a partner who failed to remember Valentine’s Day and strangely enough, divorce filings are said to rise by 40% around the same time.
Okay, so maybe don’t mention the last two facts, you don’t want to scare off your prey (um, I mean crush) – after all, your harmless Valentine’s banter is supposed to help you get a foot in the door, not the other way around. So get your facts straight and head for the water cooler – they’re bound to need a drink or two at some point during the day!
Source: London Loves Business (https://londonlovesbusiness.com/14-valentines-day-facts-that-even-cynics-will-love/)
