United States
Valentine's Day is marked with cards, sweets, roses and romantic dinners, in America. Three out of every four Americans celebrate the day in one form or other. And they celebrate in style2! Each February 14, Americans exchange 160 million cards, and buy $1 billion worth of chocolates and 130 million roses. Many prefer a quiet dinner at home, but one out of every three Americans goes out for dinner on the night of February 14.
This outpouring3 of affection is not limited to lovers. A famous greeting-card company reports that in recent years, there has been a marked increase in the number of cards sent to friends and relatives. Willard Harley, the author of a number of books on love says, “Valentine's Day is not only about romance. Actually, it is a day to celebrate affection for those close to us, to show those we love how important they are to us.”
Thailand
In the North of Thailand, young girls, joined by family members, gather at the front of their house, which is brightly lit. This is an invitation to any males who are interested in marriage to introduce themselves to the family. He may approach with one or more male friends. If the girl's family is impressed, they may allow the suitor to sing a song in her honor4.
The suitor must never touch the young woman he likes. If he commits such a grave5 error, the young man must send gifts of flowers or candles, to all family members, before seven days have passed. It is believed that if this is not done, all members of the family will have bad luck.
In the ritual6 of apology, the father of the girl decides whether to accept or reject a marriage proposal. However, in modern times, this custom has been abolished.
Portugal
Ancient courting7 traditions from the north of Portugal regard the female lover as a spinner8. According to legend, while embroidering9 handkerchiefs, the woman places her feelings into the cloth before sending it to him.
If the young man wore the handkerchief around his neck on his Sunday walk, it was considered a public announcement that he would marry the sender. If he did not like her, he would return the handkerchief.
Mexico
A number of Mexican romantic traditions survive. In some regions, it is the custom for a man to “steal” his bride. The couple court for a time, usually in secret. The parents usually find out and they object to the romance. When this happens the young man will do something.
One night, hidden by darkness, he sets out for the home of his beloved. The young man hopes that she will leave her parents' house to meet him. It is hoped her parents will have no choice but to agree to the marriage, which takes place as soon as possible.
Romance in Mexico also has a sweeter side. The custom of serenading10 your loved one is a strong tradition of Mexican culture. At night, the suitor visits his beloved's home with a group of musicians. They sing love songs until she comes out to receive her suitor. If she doesn't appear, she has rejected his offer.
Neither of these Mexican traditions has to take place on February 14. Instead, they depend only on the blooming of love.
Britain
The custom of expressing love through gifts on February 14 has become over commercialized in Great Britain. In 2001, the British bought six million red roses and 22 million cards for Valentine's Day. The figure is surprising, especially if you consider that Britain's population is about 60 million.
But it doesn't stop there. Consider the example of Red Letter Days, a London-based company that offers special packages at special prices. Lovers can reserve a luxury dinner with a specially designed dessert has a marriage proposal written on it. The love songs package is another option. A suitor sings and records their favorite love song as well as a declaration of love that will last for many years.
Finally, for the British lover who “wants to eat”their partner, the London-based sculptor11 Dante Arriguchi offers a special Valentine's service: a sculpture of your loved one in chocolate. The price: $236.
In spite of all this, one cannot say that Valentine's Day is just a pretext12 for the British to give and receive gifts. Every February thousands of people visit the post office of the town of Lover13 to mail their Valentine's Day cards, so that their romantic messages have the envelope stamped with Lover.
Today, the world over, love may be less romantic. But at the same time it is more direct and free.
美国
在美国，过情人节总少不了卡片、糖果、玫瑰以及浪漫的晚餐。每4个美国人中就有3人以这种或那种方式过情人节。而且他们方式别具一格！每年2月14日， 美国人互相赠送1亿6千万张卡片，购买价值10亿美元的巧克力，以及1亿3千万支的玫瑰。这天夜里，虽然许多人愿意在家里吃顿安静的晚餐，但每3个美国人中就有一人更乐意外出就餐。
表达爱意并不限于情人之间。据一家生产贺卡的知名企业说，近几年，送给亲朋好友的卡片数量明显上升。作家威拉德·哈利撰写过许多以爱为主题的书，他说，“情人节不仅仅是情人间的浪漫，事实上，这也是一个向身边的人传达爱意的日子，是一个告诉我们所爱的人，他们对我们是何等重要的日子。”
泰国
在泰国北部，年轻女子被家人簇拥着聚集在自家门前，家里灯火通明。这是在向求爱者发出信号，告诉他们可以向她家毛遂自荐。于是求爱者由一名或多名男伴陪同向女方走去。如果女方家人对小伙子印象不错，就会允许他向姑娘唱一支歌。
追求者不可以碰他所喜欢的姑娘。一旦犯了如此大错，这个年轻人必须在7天之内，向女方家人奉上鲜花或蜡烛作为礼物。如果不这样做，会被认为严重冒犯了女方家人。人们相信这会给女方全家带来厄运。
在致歉仪式上，由女孩的父亲决定是否接受求婚。但是，现在这种习俗已经被废除了。
葡萄牙
在葡萄牙北部古老的求婚习俗中，女方被视为织女。有这样一个传说，在绣手绢的时候，姑娘会把自己对心上人的情意绣进去，然后再将这意味深长的手绢送给那个他。
如果小伙子星期天外出散步时，脖子上系着那条手绢，就是公开宣布他将娶她。但是如果不喜欢对方，他就会退还手绢。
墨西哥
墨西哥还保留着一些浪漫传统。有些地区，“偷”新娘是一种习俗。通常姑娘和小伙子暗地里交往了一段时间，但不免要被女方父母发现。他们自然反对这样的私定终身。这时候小伙子就开始行动了。
一天晚上，在夜幕的掩护下，他向着心上人的家潜行。年轻的小伙子一心期盼着姑娘逃离父母家与他相会。希望姑娘的父母别无选择只得同意这门亲事，尽快举行婚礼。
墨西哥的浪漫爱情也有甜蜜的一面。对着心爱的人弹唱小夜曲的风俗深深扎根于墨西哥文化当中。夜晚时分，求爱者领着一群乐师来到心上人的家门前。他们唱着情歌，直到姑娘出来迎见他为止。如果始终不见姑娘的身影，就意味着小伙子的求爱被拒绝了。
以上两种墨西哥传统不一定发生在2月14日这一天。相反爱情之花盛开之际，便是情人过节之日。
英国
在英国的2月14日，互赠礼物传递爱意的风俗已经被空前商业化了。2001年情人节，英国人共购买了600万支红玫瑰，2，200万张卡片。想想英国人口才6，000万上下，便觉得这些数字真是令人瞠目结舌。
但是远不止如此。拿一家总部设在伦敦，名为红字日的公司为例，这家公司提供给大众不同价位的套餐服务。情人们可以预定丰盛的晚餐，配有特制的甜点上面写着求婚誓言。情歌套餐是另一项选择。求婚者自唱自录他们最喜欢的情歌和爱情誓言。这份爱的礼物能保存多年。
最后，对于那些“想要吃定”对方的英伦情人来说，居住在伦敦的雕塑家但丁·阿里谷齐提供一项特别的情人节服务：照你至爱的样子做出巧克力雕塑。价格是：236美元。
虽然以上种种都与互换礼物有关，但是绝不能说情人节只是给英国人提供了一个派送和接受礼物的借口。每年2月，成千上万人去“情人镇”的邮局邮寄情人卡，为他们的绵绵情意盖上“爱”的邮戳。
如今，世界各地的爱情也许不如以前浪漫，但与此同时表达的方式却更直接，也更自由了。
1. Cupid n. 丘比特（罗马神话中的爱神）
2. in style 别具风格地，时髦地
3. outpouring n. （强烈感情的）流露，洋溢
4. in one's honor 为了向…表示敬意
5. grave [greiv] adj. 严重的
6. ritual n. 仪式
7. court v. 求爱
8. spinner n. 纺纱者
9. embroider v. 刺绣
10. serenade v. 为（某人）唱或奏小夜曲
11. sculptor n. 雕刻家
12. pretext n. 借口
13. town of Lover 英国威尔特郡的一个小镇