Ah well, it did at least feature the magic three words — “thanks for ironing”.

As love is in the air, I’ve compiled a list of ways to spot if your lover is Slow. It does indeed include the concept of Tantric sex, but it doesn’t stop there. Oh no, that would be for those bereft of imagination. And Sting.

He’s hired a tandem
Without doubt this is the most chic and Slow way to travel with a lover. Check out Wayne and Becky, a cute Canadian couple who went so far with the theme that they got married on theirs.

He’s made bread for you
Most couples will opt for a posh steak dinner, but home-made bread has a nurturing quality to it that can’t be beaten. You have to put real effort into making bread — all that kneading, waiting and baking. The smell alone is enough to get you ready for love. It’s foreplay via food, surely?

He writes you love songs
Forget playlists. Slow lovers don’t rely on other artists to do their seduction for them. They get the guitar / maraccas / spoons out and do it themselves. No matter if it’s ropey, it’s the uniqueness and the creativity that counts. A live performance is best, obviously, but if he videos himself crooning, posts it on YouTube and sends it to your friends too, consider it quite sweet. Maybe.

He subscribes to My Tantric Love-life
If that magazine doesn’t exist yet, it should do. It would probably take eight years for each issue to come out, though. Yep, it’s an obvious one, but Tantric is about not rushing in bed, and taking time to savour life’s pleasures, opting for quality not quantity, is definitely Slow.

He books a romantic getaway to Bra
Slow Food International’s bi-annual cheese festival, aptly named Cheese, runs from September 16-19 this year, in the town of Bra – the home of Slow Food’s headquarters. It is now the leading international festival for artisan cheese-makers, attracting over 100,000 visitors.

We wouldn’t normally recommend too much cheese in your love life, but for this we make an exception.

He dreams of downsizing together
When he dreams of a future together, it’s more likely to involve a smallholding, spending proper dad time with the children, and moving your parents nearer, not further away. Unlikely to feature is a nanny pad, boarding school and death by mortgage.

He never texts you
Ok, maybe he will text to say pick up a pint of milk, but you won’t find a Slow lover texting sweet nothings. Or tweeting them, for that matter. Where’s the feeling?

[Image: Happy Via]

More Valentine’s Day on Jorg & Olif

As its name suggests, microphilanthropy is all about developing a love of humanity, but in a more immediate and personal sense to philanthropy, which has more to do with charity and monetary donations. So how can you, as a tourist, show your love for humanity while discovering foreign parts?

At the most basic level, it’s about being courteous, respecting the customs of the place you’re visiting and not letting your holiday spoil anyone else’s day. If you live in an area that’s a popular destination for tourists, you’ll already have a pretty good idea of what constitutes ‘respectful’ behaviour — and also what doesn’t!

You might want to start by learning a bit of the language, even if it’s just the basic words you’ll need to be polite, and try to use it wherever possible. Try to learn a bit about every small area you visit – is it a lively location or one where you’ll need to keep quiet? Are there any dress codes to be observed?

On another level, microphilanthropy is about supporting local industry and understanding the economic setup of the place you’re visiting well enough to spend money ethically and wisely. By supporting local artisan businesses, musicians, small producers and those struggling to make a living, you could play a huge role in another person or family’s livelihood.

As we benefit from our rich lifestyles in the West, we’re well placed to make a difference when we travel. Just remember to be courteous and as generous as you can be, and your holiday will promote happiness that goes a long way beyond the walls of your villa or hotel.

Image: Robert Swier