When Lantern Festival and Valentine's Day collide

People order flowers for Valentine's Day in Xuchang, Henan province on February 9, 2014. [Photo by Geng Guoqing/Asianewsphoto]

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Many men have been asked by their girlfriends, "If your mother and I fall into the water at the same time, and both of us can't swim, which one will you save first?"

Unfortunately, there is not a good answer for this question. If the mother is saved first, girls will think their man's love is not deep enough. If the answer is the girlfriend who is saved first, then it is usually followed by the reaction, "What? How can you do this to your mom? Are you losing your mind?"

This year, men have found themselves in a similar dilemma as Lantern Festival and Valentine's Day both fall on the same day - February 14.

Lantern Festival is an important traditional festival for all Chinese people. On this day most families get together for dinner or go out to watch a local lantern show.

As a result of the two special days sharing the same date, staying at home with the parents or going out with your girlfriend has become a hot online topic. Some people have suggested that the man should "take his girlfriend home, and you will have both a good Lantern Festival and a great Valentine's Day."

Those who are single won't have any problems happily celebrating, while those who are not are a bit worried, even though February 14 is a festival for them.

However, sales data on dinner orders for families and couples have revealed the truth. In Shanghai, the price of a lover's dinner has remained at a record low in recent years, and sales are still only at a third from previous years. But on the contrary, this year family dinners are very popular.

According to a Shanghai local radio news report, most young people have already said they will stay at home and celebrate Lantern Festival with their parents.