"It was the fashion for 'big hair' which in my case was achieved with upside down blow drying and the liberal addition of various hair products: mousse, gels, sprays - you name it I put it on my hair for my date that night.  And it worked.  I had BIG HAIR.  I thought I looked fabulous although with my hair sticking out vertically about six inches from my scalp I probably looked as though I'd just had an awful shock.

My date seemed impressed though and took me to a lovely restaurant where we dined by candlelight.  So romantic.  Until I leaned over the table towards him and my hair caught fire.  I was unaware of it at first but he noticed immediately and was horrified.  My hair didn't just singe but caught fire and kept burning fuelled by hair products probably as flammable as petrol.  He lunged over to me and started slapping my head to damp the flames which infuriated me until I realised (along with other diners) that I was on fire.  Oops."

Liz, from Glasgow, Scotland

"I was very keen on my latest boyfriend and had decided that tonight might just be 'The Night' so I wore a short dress with stay up stockings and tiny garter pants.  We had a few drinks at the pub then, since we both liked music and dance, went on to a club.  Things were going well and I was showing off my figure to good effect with some vigorous dancing when disaster struck.  One of the side bits of my pants burst and my knickers fell to my ankles.  Fortunately the dance floor was very crowded and lights dim so no-one including my date noticed.  What to do?  Without looking down I quickly stepped out of my pants, kicked them away below a nearby table and finished the dance.  Then feigning illness I got out as quickly as possible before anyone discovered the truth.  It would be big knickers and tights for a while after that disaster".

Anon, from Glasgow, Scotland

"I had fancied a guy at work for ages so was thrilled when he finally asked me out to dinner. I prepared for the occasion with care determined to look my best. I am small (just over five feet) and em not slim but I do have certain assets, that is to say very large breasts. So that night I wore a daringly low cut dress with no bra and hoped he'd be impressed. We chose a set menu option and the first course was cream of mushroom soup. I had twisted round in my seat to ask the couple at the next table for some salt then I twisted back again to smile at my date when I became aware suddenly of a warm wet feeling on my right breast. Yes I'd popped out. My date remarked, 'Most people dunk their rolls in the soup.' "

Ellen, Edinburgh

When I was in high school I invited a girl out on a date on Valentine's. I offered to take her to treat her to dinner at TGI Fridays and was really pleased when she accepted. However I realized half way through the meal that I that I didn't have enough money to pay the bill. My date didn't have any cash with her so she ended up phoning her mum who came and settled the bill before driving us home. So not cool.

Simon, Glasgow, Scotland

[This post appears elsewhere on this website in an earlier Valentine's talkback]