Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about love and grand romantic gestures, but for some Dallas College students, it’s also a day of secrets, moral dilemmas and the age-old question: If your friend cheats, do you tell?
With romance in the air and suspicions running high, we are faced with the topic of loyalty versus morality. Some believe that love should be protected at all costs, while others argue that honesty is the real expression of friendship.
For some, exposing a cheating friend is simply out of the question. “It’s not my relationship, so it’s not my problem,” said Jonathan Raymond, a Richland business major. “I mean, I might judge my friend for doing it, but I’m not gonna get involved in their drama.”
Others take it even further, believing that Valentine’s Day is a terrible time to come clean. “Imagine ruining someone’s romantic dinner with, ‘Hey, by the way, I saw your boyfriend last weekend with someone else,’” said Mia Reyes, a psychology student. “That’s actually so cruel. Let them have their chocolate first.”
But not everyone agrees. Some students feel a responsibility to tell the truth, regardless of the consequences. “If my friend can lie to her boyfriend, that means she can lie to me,” said Anisa Tega, an engineering student. “Cheating isn’t just a relationship issue, it’s a character issue, so I wouldn’t be able to trust her anymore.”
Others say Valentine’s Day is actually the best time to expose a cheater. “If they’re buying flowers for two different people, they deserve to be caught,” said Persa Sham, a computer science major. “It’s crazy to me that someone will be celebrating fake love while their partner has no clue?”
For students who don’t want to get involved but don’t want to stay silent, there’s an alternative: the “hint and hope” method. “I wouldn’t straight-up tell, but I’d ask kind of leading questions,” said Elena Ortega, an accounting major. “Like, ‘Have you noticed anything off lately?’ or ‘Do you fully trust them?,’ and then let them connect the dots.”
While most people see Feb. 14 as a day of love, for some, it’s a day of reckoning. With extravagant plans and social media posts putting relationships on display, secrets are harder to keep, and for some Dallas College students, the truth is just one awkward dinner away from coming out.
So, love or loyalty? The debate goes on. But if you’re stepping into Valentine’s Day with a guilty conscience, just know your friends might be watching.
