Where should I take the girlfriend for Valentines? [Archive] - Indiegamer Developer Discussion Boards

HairyTroll

01-12-2006, 04:30 PM

Just need some fast suggestions before the gf gets annoyed that I've forgotten yet another special day because I'm coding all ungodly hours...

Paris. Or an Alaskan cruise. A South African safari would probably hit the spot too.

Ricardo C

01-12-2006, 04:31 PM

Ok, not strickly indie related, but am an indie and its my life? :)

Just need some fast suggestions before the gf gets annoyed that I've forgotten yet another special day because I'm coding all ungodly hours...

And you're asking a bunch of other coders?

Oh yeah, this relationship is gonna go far :D

terin

01-12-2006, 05:14 PM

Take her to the arcade- if she can't love you for who you are it isn't meant to be!

-Joe

papillon

01-12-2006, 05:17 PM

The library!

... What? I like libraries!

turbo

01-12-2006, 08:38 PM

A romantic dinner at a cozy restaurant or a movie of her choice with those tasty little mini pizzas. :cool:

svero

01-12-2006, 10:55 PM

You must never do anything nice for your girlfriend on Valentines day. Instead set a proper precedent by complaining that she hasn't done enough for you on Valentines day, and make comments about how you thought she was a liberated modern woman. Else you'll find yourself stuck in a corner where every Valentines you're trying to outdo the last one and nothing short of a shiny new convertible with a big pink bow on it will satisfy.

- S

Sol_HSA

01-12-2006, 11:06 PM

Home cooking. Yours. (Practise).

Teq

01-12-2006, 11:37 PM

You have no idea where to take your gf for a night out? Why is she with you exactly? :)

I often wonder ;)

No, I have ideas, just not practical ones, things like a picnic on a moonlit beach - I live in the UK, its the middle of winter! I might have to just do the ordinary candle lit dinner at a snazzy resturant, or meal for two at home, but I'd rather be different, think I'd never see her again if I took her karting though :eek:

Fabio

01-13-2006, 02:50 AM

Just need some fast suggestions before the gf gets annoyed that I've forgotten yet another special day because I'm coding all ungodly hours...What about a Motel? :cool:

You know, I always felt that the true skill of a coder is... being able to optimize. :p

Fry Crayola

01-13-2006, 02:56 AM

This thread makes me happy that my girlfriend rightly believes Valentines Day to be a load of poo.

Savant

01-13-2006, 03:16 AM

Oh please, it isn't like you have to make some huge gesture. A nice home cooked meal, some flowers and a foot rub would satisfy most women. Men spend too much time trying to think up some elaborate surprise when, really, all the women want is a little TLC.

If your girlfriend doesn't believe in Valentine's Day, that's fine, but it's really just an excuse to do something nice for her. You don't have to buy into the whole commercialization of it to enjoy it.

Fry Crayola

01-13-2006, 03:54 AM

Indeed, but I show my appreciation 365 days a year. It's nice to not have to worry about sorting out some huge gesture and then dealing with any sarky comments about how her friend's boyfriend did such and such.

The simplest things are always best, though. Cook a very tasty meal, open a bottle or two of wine and light a few candles. If she can't appreciate that...

Grey Alien

01-13-2006, 05:39 AM

thanks for the reminder!

For me, just staying overnight in a hotel/inn/pub that has a restaurant downstairs is good, even if it's only 5 miles away. The trick is getting the kids' grandparents to babysit for one night. Then such a simple sounding night out is a luxury as you don't have to get up in the morning!

P.S. Don't forget flowers and/or chocs. They always like them.

papillon

01-13-2006, 05:46 AM

Actually, I disagree. About flowers, anyway. :)

At least for me, the whole point of flowers is to SHOW OFF to others how great your boyfriend is.

Which means flowers are a perfect present if you are a student and can have them delivered to you at school. And an okay present if you can have them sent to you at work.

At home, though, flowers are mostly a waste of money that takes up space, attracts bugs, rots, and has to be thrown out. If you want to buy flowers for a private affair, buy *just one* flower. One pretty flower shows you were thinking of her in a romantic way. Heaps of flowers is a status thing, and if you're at home you don't need to try to impress her with your status, do you?

Unless you're trying to do the House Of Roses thing. Which *is* showing off your status to your other half - "look how romantic and rich I am, I can buy all these roses just for you!" - but at some points in the relationship a huge showy gesture can be handy. :)

Teq

01-13-2006, 05:53 AM

Well, some girls like flowers for their natural beauty, tho I totally agree that they are a waste of money, though buying your loved one a TFT screen would perhaps be taking the whole practicality thing a bit far ;)

papillon

01-13-2006, 06:50 AM

Oh, I like the natural beauty of flowers. In pictures and in gardens. Less so on my kitchen table with petals shedding and little white crawly things on them. :)

(Both my sister and I did a lot of performing arts things when we were young, which meant lots of parent-purchased bouquets. And the parents tended not to want to throw the bouquets out, even when they were getting quite icky. A single flower, it's much easier to say that it's lost its bloom and toss it.)

Savant

01-13-2006, 07:27 AM

Indeed, but I show my appreciation 365 days a year.
Of course. However, doing something a little extra special on Valentine's Day doesn't mean you've sold out to the man. It simply means you're enjoying the occasion.

GBGames

01-13-2006, 07:29 AM

I remember watching a television show (although I don't remember which one) when I was really young:

I prefer the plastic flowers. They last longer, especially if you water them every day.

I've been saying that each time the question of what flowers to get comes up. B-)

I'm glad this thread has come up because I would otherwise put off thinking about Valentine's Day until February, and probably the week before at that. B-\

And for those of you who are without a significant other, you can always celebrate Ferris Wheel Day. Get a bunch of your friends together and watch awesome, action-packed movies. Or whatever kind of movie would make you feel good.

Just not porn. Watching porn with your friends is weird.

AnthemAudio

01-13-2006, 07:32 AM

Hmm...my wife definitely deserves something special any chance I can get. She's sacrificied tons for my career and I look forward to occasions like this to do something out of the ordinary for her.

Even if she thought it was "all poo" it wouldn't stop me from trying. They'll appreciate it anyway...they will. Women need that kind of affection. They need daily as well as sporadically.

In our last home, she used to grow tons of different kinds of flowers...mostly roses. So I thought it was silly to pay for flowers. Couldn't I just pick one of hers? Couldn't I just leave it in the ground so it will live longer? You know, just make a sign next to it, take her out to her garden and point to it saying "I picked this one for you!"

No, buy her some damn flowers!

Actually, one year I bought her miniature roses. She proceeded to take them apart and plant them with the rest. It's like I was extra thoughtful.

Guys should love Valentines. It's a global reminder to all guys to do something special. It doesn't have to be ON Valentines, and it doesn't have to be traditional flowers/chocolate/dinner thing. Find what's important to her and go in that direction. This is your chance!

Upon St. Crispins Day!
Upon St. Crispins Day, Damn it!!!

mahlzeit

01-13-2006, 07:36 AM

Take her out for a night of vandalism. Break the law! Run from the cops! If that ain't exciting, I don't know what is. ;)

digriz

01-13-2006, 09:42 AM

Take her somewhere in Europe. Flights are cheap with EasyJet or RyanAir.

You can get a flight to Venice for a very reasonable price for example.

GBGames

01-13-2006, 11:13 AM

In our last home, she used to grow tons of different kinds of flowers...mostly roses. So I thought it was silly to pay for flowers. Couldn't I just pick one of hers? Couldn't I just leave it in the ground so it will live longer? You know, just make a sign next to it, take her out to her garden and point to it saying "I picked this one for you!"

Actually, that sounds adorable. A tiny sign that just has an arrow pointing to the rose and the words, "FOR YOU" would be cute. At the very least, you'll get a laugh.

Earlier someone mentioned walks on a beach, saying that it sucks that it is the UK and winterish. Women talk about being romantic, but it is sad that most of them who would find a stroll along a beach in winter to be too cold and impractical. That's the point! A picnic outside, shivering together, holding each other to keep warm until the wine and food is consumed...what could be more romantic? Unfortunately, my girlfriend would definitely be upset with me if I took her to Lake Michigan for a picnic. B-\

Now to find a place that makes tiny signs...

Fry Crayola

01-13-2006, 12:28 PM

Of course. However, doing something a little extra special on Valentine's Day doesn't mean you've sold out to the man. It simply means you're enjoying the occasion.

I'll be truthful here.

I can't be bothered!

And neither can she!

Win-Win!

Savant

01-13-2006, 12:54 PM

I can't be bothered!

And neither can she!

Win-Win!
Sounds, uh ... great? Congrats.

Fry Crayola

01-13-2006, 01:55 PM

:lol:

We're very happy, thank you for your kind words.

digriz

01-14-2006, 06:49 AM

Of course you could always give her 2 round trip tickets to this years GDC!

It's a little after valentines day but nothing says i love you like a good lecture on marketing your game effectively ;)

Tesa

01-14-2006, 02:01 PM

You can get a flight to Venice for a very reasonable price for example.

Venice in mid-february stinks. Literally. After all those months of cold and rain only the carnival can make it passable. Later in spring is probably preferrable unless you've started thinking of the carnival which starts February 17:th and ends on the 28:th. And while flights can be cheap, the decent hotels are fairly pricey and restaurants can charge whatever they want come carnival time.

Otherwise... simple gestures are always nice. Doesn't have to be just on Valentine's, doesn't have to be every day. Just like AnthemAudio said.
Make gestures that show that you as a boyfriend have been attentive to her likes and fancies, at least a little bit. If you pick a restaurant, pick one that might have just that special dessert she fancies.
Or take the weekend prior to Valentine's off from "work" and just devote it to her. Give her the most precious gift: time with you.

Fabio

01-16-2006, 01:13 AM

What's wrong with my idea of taking her to a Motel?

Grey Alien

01-16-2006, 01:49 AM

I bought some flowers for Christmas, I chose them myself to get the right colours and mixture. They brightened up the dining room table for several weeks and there are still a few left! She really liked them and it made the place feel nice when visitors came round.

Teq

01-21-2006, 05:56 AM

Of course you could always give her 2 round trip tickets to this years GDC!

It's a little after valentines day but nothing says i love you like a good lecture on marketing your game effectively ;)

Sounds great! :D Though think I will have to wait til next year now, I've already booked a table at the Chiang Mai Kitchen...

digriz

01-21-2006, 06:50 AM

Sounds great! :D Though think I will have to wait til next year now, I've already booked a table at the Chiang Mai Kitchen...

Is the mongolian wok still going in oxford? I used to like eating there.

Musenik

01-21-2006, 05:49 PM

Take her and yourself to a spa for a massage. Or, if your hands don't ache from the keyboard and mouse, give her a full, gentle, massage for half an hour at least. Place a couple fragrant flowers next to her in a dimly lit room. Show anime while you're... ACK!

MUST.. FIGHT.. NERDITE.!!! ACK!

GBGames

01-22-2006, 07:11 AM

Show anime while you're... ACK!

MUST.. FIGHT.. NERDITE.!!! ACK!

LOL! And with that, I realize I've been on these forums for too long this morning and should get to work on my game project.

DFG

01-22-2006, 09:41 PM

Ask her. :)

Phil Newton

01-25-2006, 12:24 PM

Flowers? Bah! Potatoes are the way forward (http://www.bash.org/?151227).

I tried the old "it's too commercial" trick with limited success, though I do like to treat my girlfriend because, quite frankly, anyone who puts up with me deserves some kind of reward.

bignobody

01-25-2006, 02:02 PM

Flowers? Bah! Potatoes are the way forward (http://www.bash.org/?151227).

Just don't do both, it leads to confusion (http://www.bash.org/?601337)!

dmikesell

02-10-2006, 06:54 AM

My wife loves flowers at home, but it's too cliche on Valentines Day. Bring her flowers on October 9 "just because" and she'll love them more.

GBGames

02-10-2006, 07:17 AM

I've bought boxes of Valentine's Day cards and periodically throughout the year given them to my girlfriend. In the middle of July or September, a Valentine's card is just weird enough to make a smile appear.

Savant

02-10-2006, 07:23 AM

Ask her.
This is, seriously, the best advice in this thread. Ask her where she'd like to go if she had her choice. You don't have to kill yourself making it a surprise.

Brien Shrimp

03-02-2006, 04:09 AM

This thread makes me appreciate my girlfriend. She completely ignores St. Valentine's Day (as she does most holidays) and is disgusted at the idea of being given severed plant genitals as a token of affection.

:D

But about the "Ask her!" advice, in my experience, that's a very bad idea. St Valentine's or otherwise, a planned date is the best gift. Don't ruin it by making her do the work.

Fabio

03-02-2006, 04:17 AM

But about the "Ask her!" advice, in my experience, that's a very bad idea. St Valentine's or otherwise, a planned date is the best gift. Don't ruin it by making her do the work. Yeah.. one has to understand women to understand that. Not everybody does, some people live their whole life inside their protective houses bashing all the time others and their work hiding behind stupid blogs. :D

James C. Smith

03-02-2006, 08:22 AM

Damn! Valentines day is coming up again already? It seems like it was just a couple weeks ago that we had to deal with the last one. Time flies. ;)

Savant

03-02-2006, 08:38 AM

It's March 14th, right?

Savant

03-02-2006, 08:42 AM

Yeah.. one has to understand women to understand that. Not everybody does, some people live their whole life inside their protective houses bashing all the time others and their work hiding behind stupid blogs.
I assume this was a side swipe at me, but in any case... PLEASE explain women to me. I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to have an anti-social programmer with anger management issues explain the fairer sex.

lexaloffle

03-02-2006, 09:41 AM

March 14? That's white day. Men give the women they love marshmallows. I don't know if it's catching on outside of Japan.

papillon

03-02-2006, 09:53 AM

Marshmallows? I thought they gave chocolate as well. I thought it was something like - the girl gives the boy chocolate on Feb 14 and if he likes her he gives her chocolate in return on Mar 14?

I dunno, I only get this stuff from anime.

lexaloffle

03-02-2006, 11:30 AM

You're right. I looked it up - it started off as marshmallows, but the chocolate people weasled their way in with white chocolate, and then all kinds of chocolate. Sneaky incrementalist bastards. I'll be giving white fluffly marshmallows this white day.

AnthemAudio

03-02-2006, 11:45 AM

is "marshmallows" like a code word for an STD?

sorry

Fabio

03-03-2006, 06:31 AM

I assume this was a side swipe at me, but in any case... PLEASE explain women to me. I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to have an anti-social programmer with anger management issues explain the fairer sex.

[ I assume you're talking to me ]

Sorry, got no time to babysit you. Let away that if you think to believe that I am anti-social, why do you even bother to ask? :D You're a living contraddiction, to say the best.

Savant

03-03-2006, 06:41 AM

Sorry, got no time to babysit you. Let away that if you think to believe that I am anti-social, why do you even bother to ask? You're a living contraddiction, to say the best.
Perfect and exactly what was expected.

Fabio

03-03-2006, 06:49 AM

Why do you keep on bothering me, entering into threads with your totally off-topic comments, in simple words TROLLING? This time, in this thread, it was the very first time I did it, after you did it too many times. Maybe it sorted the wanted effect: can't you learn something? I can live perfectly without you, why can't you live without me? I can't find that filter button.. damn. You got this compulsory obsessive need to bother. To bother me, to bother cloners, to bother other developers. To bother.

Don't you have better things to do with your time? For example that mega mighty 3D engine you talked about made in .NET :D

Adam

03-03-2006, 01:12 PM

March 14th is Steak and BJ day (http://www.steakandbjday.com/) (I think you should all be able to infer that this isn't a tasteful link, but i don't think it's offensive).

Brien Shrimp

03-03-2006, 02:09 PM

March 14th is Steak and BJ day (http://www.steakandbjday.com/) (I think you should all be able to infer that this isn't a tasteful link, but i don't think it's offensive).

I no longer appreciate my girlfriend's ignoring of holidays. :(