Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.

Dear Manolo,

I need some shoes for my big Valentine’s Day night out with my beau. The problem is that I’m a poor college girl and don’t have money to buy the sort of shoes I’d really like to own. Please help.

Nicole

Manolo says, frankly, the Manolo is surprised to learn that the college girls still have the boyfriends who are willing to escort them out for the Dia de San Valentino’s night on the town.

Recently, while travelling, the Manolo dined at the moderately expensive restaurant in the large Midwestern college town. While there, he could not help but notice that nearly all of the other tables were occupied by groups of well-dressed college girls, with nary the man to be seen. Meanwhile, outside the windows of the restaurant, the endless parade of college boys schlumped by in their blue jeans and novelty t-shirts, baseball caps jammed backwards onto their heads.

The Manolo’s dining companions assured him that this was the new paradigm, that young people no longer date in the old manner. In the stead, the girls get dressed up, and the boys do not, then they go out for the night in their gendered packs. Sometime later in the evening, fueled by cheap beer and flaming Jagermeister shots, the various groups collide to the pulsatingly inane rhythms of Lady Gaga.

So, congratulations to the Manolo’s friend on maintaining the more pleasant and enjoyable romantic tradition.

Look! Here is the Prive from Calvin Klein, the elegant, black suede, platform sandal that will look appropriately sophisticated at the reasonable price.