Being single on Valentine’s Day is a time to congratulate yourself for being sensible. Still, it may be difficult to refrain from getting swept up in the sales pitches and sentimentality that accompany the annual event. Keep in mind that Saint Valentine was a presumably celibate Christian who died for Jesus in the 5th Century.

If that is not enough, look around at the couples you know. Do your closest paired-off friends spend a lot of time complaining about each other? Do they quarrel in public, or just in private? Have you ever envied them? Having answered “no” to all these questions 7Days came up with several ways to celebrate the single life on Valentine’s Day, most of which are cheaper than the cost of a wilting rose.

1) Pick up pirated copies of Fatal Attraction, Looking for Mr Goodbar or Cruising at the Russian market. Each film, though dated, is a good reminder that relationships, even the ones that last less than an hour, can be deadly.  

2) Kickboxing is the ideal sport for those recuperating from a relationship or a near brush with one. It’s less bruising and healthier. Pradal Serey (Khmer kickboxing) lets you punch and kick, but not bite, your partner. Coincident-ally, Paddy’s Fight Club is set to reopen the day before Valentine’s Day. The new site is on Street 294, about 500 metres from ANZ Bank on Sihanouk Boulevard.

3) Meditation is a way of being single in the extreme. It’s also a smart move for shaking off unwanted admirers. If someone gives you a Valentine card, suggest meditation as a first date. Kundalini Yoga Cambodia, however, appears to be veering in the opposite direction, or casting a wide net for customers. It is offering Valentine-themed meditation, complete with a newsletter dotted with pink and soft-blue phrases. As a warm-up, one instructor is conducting a three-hour session on Saturday morning to “explore the dimensions of expressing True Love”. On the day itself, the centre is offering three classes (6am, 8.30am and 6pm) for practicing “meditations that open the heart centre and help build our capacity to establish authentic relationships”. For more information go to its Facebook page.

4) Sign a petition to ban Valentine’s Day. There are plenty online. Iran, Aceh province in Indonesia, and the city of Belgorod in Russia have already banned Valentine’s Day-related activities due to the corrupting influence they have on society. It’s not too late to book a flight.

5) Join a group of friends at single’s friendly bar for an evening of conversation, drinks and snacks. An odd number is preferable to an even one to avoid the social pressure of breaking up into couples. Keep in mind that it is prudent to celebrate the evening like it is your last Valentine’s Day as a single. Don’t gloat. Other people often have an irresistible, and completely unexpected, ability to catch you by surprise.