Ah, Valentine's Day. The day people who are single love to remind you that they're single and people who are in relationships love to tell you they're taken. College Park has a plethora of options when it comes to Valentine's Day plans, and they say a lot about you.
1. North or South Campus Diner
You're a freshman. And broke. So broke that there's a good chance your parents are technically paying for this date since it's on your meal plan. Have fun with unseasoned food.
2. McDonald's
You tell your friends you're going to McDonald's tonight with some person and your friends ask what's wrong with you because it's Valentine's Day. You tell them "It's not a date." Yeah, okay. You hate labels to the point of being annoying and/or will go out of your way to be quirky. "Roses? Nah, I'm not like OTHER girls and I just want nugs." Give me a break.
3. Chipotle/Noodles & Company/Panda Express/Jason's Deli/Other Fast-Casual Restaurants
Definitely a step-up from McDonald's.You're sneaky though because it's better than normal fast food, but it's easier to bow out of not footing the bill than at a sit down restaurant. You conveniently take too long to put away your change or card until your date has paid for their own food. "Oh I could've paid!" Sure.
5. Applebee's or Other Sit-Down Restaurants
You fancy, huh? "Applebee's isn't a real date" is a sentence uttered by people who don't get asked out. It's much harder to avoid pretending to be interested in contributing to the cost of your date's meal. What an adrenaline rush. Sure Applebee's has been accused of microwaving their steaks, but at least you don't have to say "Do you want to come to The Diner on Valentine's Day with me?"
6. Take-Out
Either you're looking for a chill night with your significant other or you're single. If you're single, you're probably watching re-runs of The Bachelor or some cheesy rom-coms that may or may not involve amnesia and/or someone joining the military. Either way, I don't judge.
7. Cornerstone or Looney's
You're looking for a chill-ish night out. You're with a group of friends people watching and probably judging everyone while you're eating a crab pretzel and nursing your drink. At some point of the night, you say "Who needs boys/girls?"
8. Bent's or Turf
You're going to say you're going there on Valentine's Day. You're definitely 100% not in a committed relationship. Maybe you're swiping through Tinder at the bar. Actually not maybe, definitely. Like the Cornerstone and Looney's patrons, you're also saying "Who needs boys/girls?" but in a much more sloppy way. Live your best lives, Bent's and Turf patrons.