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Diva
updated 14 May 2012, 16:50
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Mon, May 14, 2012
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Plump girl seeking companion for Valentine's Day gets scathed by netizens

14 Feburary, 2010 will not only be Valentine's Day, it is also the first day of chinese Lunar New year as well as Ms Valentine's birthday.

To commerate and make the day even more special for her, she has gone to citizen journalism website, STOMP, to appeal for a date.

In her email to STOMP, she said "I am Valentine, 25, and I will be turning 25 on 14th February 2010, which is Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year and also my birthday.

"I was wondering whether STOMP can make my birthday wish come true.

"I would like to have a memorable 25th birthday to remember and it's not often 3 situations can occur on a single day (birthday, Valentine's Day plus Chinese New Year), therefore I would like to have an opportunity to have a smashing birthday.

"Can you find me my Valentine?"

The Primary school supervisor associates herself to being "a book that you can enjoy with a cup of coffee with. You will discover the beauty and goodness in the book when you take time to ponder and read it thoroughly."

Though she's not stunning, she had a friendly and kind smile.

However, netizens' responses were far from kind. Out of the 70 people who polled, 62 said "no" to dating her. Most critised that she was simply not pretty.

Shin Min daily reported that one netizen went further and commented that if she wants a date, she'll have to pay for the meal as well as send the guy home before any consideration.

On the other hand, a minority felt that although she was brave to have sought for love, but it was self-degrading.

Psychiatrist's Opinion

In an interview with Shin Min, Dr Hong Yong Yuen said there are 2 possible motivations behind her actions.

Firstly, she's mature and confident. She would have expected such a backlash but she's unfazed by it.

Or she's immature and lacks confidence. All this may be pure fun to her and gives her attention wanted. The vicious comments will strip away her battered confidence.

On the netizens' reaction, he feels that they ought to reflect on their own morals and values. The doctor said if they did not like what she was doing, they could simply look away instead of not attacking her furiously.

readers' comments
I just would like to say that there’s a reason why we have saying like “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” “Beauty is skin deep” “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” there is real depth to these words. Beauty is all in the perceptions molded by the culture and society around us. What is one man’s wine could be another’s poison. If beauty is being born with perfect features with no flaws than only about 10 to 20% of the population is truly beautiful. They owe that beauty to good gene pool and the grace of god. It was not a personal achievement they just won the luck in the genetics lottery. The balance 70 to 80% of the population is dependent on the cosmetics and fashion industry to beautify themselves.
Posted by CarolLatha on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 at 12:53 PM
I guess this would have a better sensationalized twist instead of them just doing a good turn for the lonely gal who wrote in to them believing that they could fulfill her wish. I just wish they could have turned down her request if they found it a tall order instead of messing up to this proportion where this must surely be the most miserable birthday year for Valentine. Being ridiculed and taunted is not the way to have a memorable day. It must feel great to have the power to crush one’s joy, dream, hope and self -confidence. Kudos to all the netizens out there who were instrumental in this fiasco.
I just would like to say that there’s a reason why we have saying like “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” “Beauty is skin deep” “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” there is real .....
Posted by CarolLatha on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 at 12:52 PM
I dare you to make such comments publicly by putting yourself out there with your real identity. I doubt there will be any such takers as than it will be them under fire as the whole cyber self-appointed anonymous jury will now have new blood to sink their fangs into.
I blame STOMP for the predicament that Valentine is in today. They could have guided her in this matter as they are the professionals, they should know that a picture’s worth a thousand words. They could have had a makeover or make-up session with her and taken better pictures. If they were sincere in their quest to find her a valentine date and make her birthday a memorable one there are lot of ways they could have achieved this and shielded her from this nastiness instead they just threw her to the wolves. I guess this would have a .....
Posted by CarolLatha on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 at 12:48 PM
I am totally appalled by all these malicious persecution of the poor gal when all she wanted was a memorable birthday and a chance at love. I admire her guts for putting herself out there and willing to do something to change her status quo instead sitting home and whining away about life. Though the platform she has chosen was totally misguided but that doesn’t give anyone the right to be on her case as if this is a witch hunt. I believe it makes one to feel so high and mighty and superior behind a cloak of anonymity. You are free to judge others while escaping being judged. Each and every nasty, crude remarks were made by members unwilling to share their real identity. I dare you to make such comments publicly by putting yourself out there with your real identity. I doubt there will be any such takers .....
Posted by CarolLatha on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 at 12:46 PM
I think stomp is the entity responsible for playing up on the word plump. Just look at the topic itself.

I feel disappointed to see it playing up on the word in order to catch readers' attention.

Maybe, readers did not respond to her because of other qualities or reasons, need not be because she is plump. Unless the majority of those polled expressively wrote so, if not on what grounds did the topic title came about?
Posted by limacsg8 on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 at 01:05 AM
Even as she is not plump or ugly ... beauty is in the eyes of the beholden ... hope her Prince Charming will come by soon ...
Posted by harlym on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 at 23:20 PM
For goodness sake, read carefully her request. She just want Mr. Nice Guy or Mr. Valentine to make her 25th birthday a memorable day. She's not selling her body. So, what's wrong with a birthday wish????
Posted by malinablu on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 at 20:18 PM
You are wonderful.Love to date you ,ensuring you have a wonderful time filled with love.Such a brave and pretty lady,honestly.
Happy Birthday,Happy Lunar New Year and Happy Valentine day!!!
Send you with Lots of Love and Wishes!!
Posted by dragonfly333 on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 at 19:50 PM
Valentine: Happy Birthday, æ*喜發財 and May You find a great guy (forget all those immature old kids spewing nonsense on internet that hides behind the proverbial skirt of the PC screen)!
Posted by wilswong on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 at 18:31 PM
Valentine,
'Twas brave of you to post that subject matter online. Now stay brave, ignore those snide remarks and move on. They're just being insecure and brutal. Ignore them.
"Never build your emotional life on the weaknesses of other people" (quote - Steven R Covey).

Happy St. Valentine's, Happy Birthday, and Happy Lunar New Year.
Posted by perceivedtobe on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 at 17:49 PM

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