( CNN ) -- Valentine 's Day is terrible for two kinds of people -- those who are single and those who are n't . For single people , the day is a disappointing reminder they do n't have that `` special someone '' in their life . Not a fun feeling -- believe me , I 've been there . But personally I think it 's worse for people in a relationship . Single people can choose to ignore Valentine 's Day . However , if you 're in a relationship , the last thing you want to do is ignore Valentine 's Day -- believe me , I 've been there , too . What may have started out as a holiday intended to bring couples together has been transformed into a commercial spectacle peddled to us by florists , greeting card companies , jewelry stores and makers of stuffed animals . My issue is not with being romantic or expressing your feelings to the person you love . My issue is being required to do so on February 14 . This date has zero connection to us . Each year on February 14 we are in essence commanded to be `` romantic . '' Should n't romance be organic -- sort of like a `` Cialis moment '' ? That 's the `` moment '' in the TV commercials for Cialis , the drug designed to combat erectile dysfunction -- where the couple is lifting a table together , their eyes meet , and bingo : It 's a `` Cialis moment . '' It may be drug-enhanced , but at least they chose the moment . I understand that Valentine 's Day earnestly purports to bring couples closer together . Great idea , but let 's be honest , how many of you have had fights on Valentine 's Day because of Valentine 's Day ? I certainly have had my share , usually when one of us in the relationship ( namely me ) did n't buy a nice enough gift or put in enough time planning a special `` VDay '' activity -- thus , transforming Valentine 's Day from a romantic evening for two into a scene from the film `` The War of the Roses . '' See also : Romantic restaurants with a view . Recently I posed this simple question on Twitter : Do you love or hate Valentine 's Day ? I expected to find a divide by gender : men bemoaning it and women cheering it . But the findings of my less-than-scientific survey surprised me . For the most part , men were silent on the issue . But women not only responded in large numbers , they answered in a way I never expected : They too hate Valentine 's Day . Overwhelmingly , women were the ones who attacked the pomp and circumstance of this `` day of love . '' Here is a sampling of a few of the tweets I received from women : . I hate the colors , I hate cheap chocolate , I hate the pressure it puts on couples and singles , and Cupids are stupid . If you ca n't tell me you love me with flowers or candy on any day but Valentine 's Day , see ya around buddy . To be honest i hate it cuz i dont have one ! It 's one big commercialized scheme to buy overpriced red & pink crap , I never liked it nor will I ever . And then there 's this woman 's objection : I have to wear leopard lingerie although I hate it . Ahh , the sacrifices we make for love . ... Now , it 's true that some men and women did express their support for the day . But they were far outnumbered by those who lamented Valentine 's Day as artificial , contrived and absurdly overly commercialized . Valentine 's Day has a muddled history . Some historians claim it was created in 469 when Pope Gelasius declared February 14 a day to honor St. Valentine . One legend contends that Valentine was a Christian martyr executed for standing up to the Roman emperor who wanted to ban soldiers from getting married . Yet another tale claims he was executed because of his Christian beliefs and signed his farewell note to his beloved : `` From Your Valentine . '' While a third and more accepted belief is that the holiday marks the day that `` birds begin to pair , '' which is the day they choose their mate . So somehow because birds picked February 14 to `` get it on , '' I have to spend $ 100 on roses ? This tweet best sums up my sentiments : Why program couples into thinking Feb 14 is the only day they can express their feelings to 1 another ? I would love to organize an `` Occupy Valentine 's Day '' movement . We would hold protests outside flower shops , Godiva chocolate factories and Build-A-Bear stores . The protests would continue until these businesses stop bombarding us with commercials or until Valentine 's Day is moved -- from February 14 to February 29 so that we are only compelled to observe it once every four years . Follow CNN Opinion on Twitter . Join the conversation on Facebook . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Dean Obeidallah .
Dean Martin : That is great , but it should n't be compulsory on that day . He says Valentine 's Day is tough for those who are not in a relationship . And for those who are in a relationship , handling Valentine 's Day is tricky , too , he says . Obeidallah : Move the holiday to February 1 , so it only happens once every four years .