>>However, we have special holidays that encourage the deadbeats to at least come across with the goods once a year.
>>
>>Given these reasonable assumptions, our loved ones benefit at a slightly higher rate than their European counterparts.
>>
>>QED <g>
>
>OTOH, the merchants benefit at the significantly higher rate than their European counterparts :)<g>

(Gee...how did I know that was coming?) Let's not forget about the benefit to our working brothers and sisters who are employed by the merchants and thereby garner some of the benefits: see how capitalism strikes yet another blow for the proletariat? <g>

>
>Though, in most of the east-European countries there's the International Women's Day (March 8th) which is the day all the florists are living for. I do think this is more fair than having a Mother's day, because it doesn't reduce the better half of the humankind to only one role, but rather serves as a praise to their struggle for equality. One of the things from communist times that nobody even thinks to remove.

Nice spin. Try this one.

It's a way of recognizing women for a role ONLY they can fill. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for equal political and social rights (and pardon me if I don't think one needs communist proclivities to believe in such things) -- the simple biological fact is that men and women are different and Mother's Day is a way to recognize the wonderfullness of that difference and the power that goes with that role --- vive la differance!