Forget sappy love songs and overpriced roses. While Valentine’s Day bathes the world in a saccharine glow on social media and IRL, a vibrant undercurrent of singles around the globe are throwing shade…well, more like throwing parties, feasting on noodles, and even getting pelted with spices.

The day after Valentine’s Day is known as Singles Awareness Day for those in the US. While there is no set way to celebrate the day, it overall has a theme of self-care. Take the pressure off of trying to find a valentine and take yourself out on a date, meet up with friends to celebrate or spend needed time with family.

That’s right, ditch the Hallmark script and delve into the world of quirky traditions that celebrate singledom with gusto. From self-indulgent shopping sprees to playful games with fate, this is your passport to a world where being single is anything but lonely.

China

Originally known as “Bachelor’s Day” when it originated at Nanjing University back in 1993, singles began to throw parties and treat themselves with extravagant gifts rather than a potential partner. Now, Nov. 11 (also known as “Double 11″) is a shopping spectacle each year in the country. In 2022 for example, “the total value of goods sold during the shopping bonanza … totaled 1.15 trillion yuan ($157.97 billion), according to data from consultancy firm Bain,” a 2023 article from Reuters said.

Along with spending money on the items your heart desires, it is also a day of “self-care.” Singles take themselves out to large expensive dinners, a night out on the town, or spend some time alone to decompress.

France

St. Catherine is known as the patron saint of unmarried women. On St. Catherine’s Day (Nov. 25), unmarried women over 25 known as “Catherinettes” are meant to pray to be sent a husband. Also, they are meant to wear the colors of St. Catherine – green for wisdom and yellow for faith. Singles go to visit the statue to St. Catherine to pay their respects and decorate it in ribbons and flowers. “Catherinettes” also gather to party together and celebrate their singledom.

South Korea

On Valentine’s Day in the country, women give men chocolates to show their affection. A month later on White Day, Korean men return the favor and offer a gift to the women. But for those who do not give or receive on either day, they celebrate Black Day on April 14th.

People typically dress up in all black and gather to eat “Jjajangmyeon,” which are noodles covered in a black bean sauce. There are typically no gifts given on the day, but restaurants often hold events for the singles, hold dating happy hour or even eating contests on the day for entertainment.

Armenia

Usually between January and February of each year, the feast of St. Sarkis celebrates the Armenian patron saint of love and youth. Unmarried women are encouraged to eat a piece of salty bread (called aghablit) before they go to sleep during this time. It is believed that if they go to sleep thirsty, their future spouse will appear in their dreams with a glass of water for them. For the ritual to be the most effective, people believe that it must be baked by a woman that’s already married or a grandmother.

Denmark

If you turned 25 and are still unmarried in the country, you can be in danger of being cinnamon bombed. It is tradition for singles to get covered in the spice by themselves, friends and family. The tradition potentially goes back hundreds of years, to when ” spice salesmen would travel around and remain bachelors because they were never in one place long enough to settle down with someone,” a 2018 article from Business Insider reported. These men would eventually become known as “Pebersvends” or “Pebermøs,” if they were a single woman. Hopefully, you find the one before you turn 30 – the spice gets upgraded to pepper on that birthday.

Malaysia

The fifteenth night of Chinese New Year, or Chap Goh Mei, is when unmarried Malaysian women write their phone numbers on mandarin oranges. Then, they throw them into the closest river and hope that a husband responds to the message. Some vendors take the oranges out of the river themselves and sell them to eligible bachelors on the street.

UK

Like China, The United Kingdom adopts a “treat yourself” mindset on Singles Day. Research from ParcelHero in 2023 found that “British consumers are expected to slash 2 billion pounds on November 11 as UK shoppers embrace Singles Day.” There is also an emphasis on having fun with those that you care about as well. Singles gather to do activities like painting, playing games, or even making food together.

So skip the chocolates and ditch the pressure. These single-centric celebrations remind us that love takes many forms, and self-love is the foundation of them all.

Whether you’re embracing your independence, seeking new connections, or simply enjoying the company of friends, these vibrant traditions show the world that singledom is anything but a void. So go ahead, indulge in a noodle feast, write your number on an orange, or embrace a friendly spice shower.

Celebrate your unique journey, revel in the freedom of being unattached, and remember, true happiness doesn’t depend on a Valentine’s Day card. It starts with embracing the you who shines brightest, single and fabulous — all year round.