We, Africans – read our men- like to brand romance and other uncomfortable relationship stuff as foreign, mzungu culture. You ask him why he does not bring you the occasional flowers and he says, “That’s a mzungu thing.” Meanwhile, he is not dressed in dried cowhide, is not chewing on a twig as a toothbrush, and has no ethnic markings or dye on him. Since the month of romantic love showed up, the men around me have been coming up with excuses why they want no part in these celebrations. “It’s just a marketing hype. Love is a daily thing.” Mike Wambugu a member of my college alumni group said.
Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Pretty please, do something romantic, even if you come from the slopes of Mount Kenya and romance and you are like water and oil attempting to blend. Every woman responds to romance, even if that means walking to the locals for a shared moment over a cup of tea. Blokes are trying to get away from the euphoria and the hyping of this lover’s day, by claiming that they demonstrate their love daily. True that, and we deeply appreciate it. Romance, however, is an occasional courtship behaviour that does not happen every day. For example, taking a weekend away together, going off to watch a movie or a play, taking a long drive or a walk, or doing whatever else keeps the flame burning, once in a while.
