What's the secret to getting Valentine's hearts?

[Poiuyt]

Some people get rows and rows of hearts, but in all my years here, I don’t think I’ve had more than five. This year, I only had three. I may not post as much as some people, but I’m not a lurker either. Do the hearts go to those who start threads? Witty, insightful posts? Begging for hearts? What’s the secret?

[Ilsa]

1. I gave them out to people who had only a few.

But I don't remember seeing your name in any threads I read, though, I didn't read alot this weekend after I bought hearts on Friday.

So,

We are DU!

[TheBlackAdder]

13. I had 100 and gave 2 to each person I came across who didn't have any.

.

It's tough to get the first, but once someone has a couple, people seem to give them more.

It's a nice icebreaker.

.

[Vivienne235729]

2. Post more? So that people can see you and give you hearts.

Here's a few for you: ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[brewens]

3. Don't be jackass for one thing. Probably why I get so few. :)

[KT2000]

4. I gave mine to

people who like cats/pets, care about the environment, and Washington state posters. Also - to those who work so hard making posts for all of us - the familiar names.

[A HERETIC I AM]

5. It is a popularity contest

And yes, it does have to do with the number and types of threads one puts up.

Or at least that’s the way I see it.

I’m always very flattered when I receive any, and I seem to have settled on the same fine folks every year who give me one. I usually get 5 or 6, and that is perfectly fine.

But it is, after all, an indication of popularity. There are some posters who put up one thread a week, but are so well known for it, they gather a whole bunch.

There are others who put up multiple OP’s a day that are well received, no matter what the subject matter.

Don’t let it bug ya. Getting one means that out of the ten thousand or so regular visitors to this site, at least one person thinks you are the Bees Knees! That in and of itself, is pretty cool.

[ChazII]

20. +1

That is how I received one of the 7 hearts. Someone had been following what I had been posting for a while - they did not specify how long - and said they liked what I posted. I am more of a lurker than poster. It is nice to get the hearts and they came at time when I needed a morale boost.

[Farmer-Rick]

6. I was giving them out to people who had only a few too

I'm sorry I didn't see you. I had a bunch leftover.

I think some people give themselves hearts and then others add to them.

Some people who post new threads a lot get a lot of hearts because they are very visible.

I don't start new threads very often so I don't get many either.

I use to care about them but don't anymore. I just usually renew my star membership around Valentine's Day. I can't stand all the ads.

[Kali]

7. obviously prolific and popular posters get a lot

I tend to give to people I already "know" (unless they have a ton already), then I give to people who have been here at least a few months that don't have any, then when most people seem to have them I start giving to people that only have one or two.

some people actually ask for them. or they hit the threads where others are offering them...

It wouldn't surprise me that some people give to themselves. I almost did that the other night myself when I just had one left and couldn't find a giftee. LOL

too bad they cut it off last night as I had just bought some more and still had 11 or 12 to give out. would gladly have added one to your line right now.

[safeinOhio]

8. I'd rather have recs.

I give those to every post that makes me smile. Most of the time I’m the only one that does.

[A HERETIC I AM]

16. Unrec.

[safeinOhio]

19. You little

you.

[dem4decades]

9. I had 4 and was surprised and happy to get those. I know no one.

[ornotna]

10. I got two this year

And that's ok. I gave a bunch out though, that was the fun part. Warmed the cockles of my hearts, both of them.

[Polly Hennessey]

11. I had eight and I was thrilled.

Doesn’t take much to make me happy.

[smirkymonkey]

12. I gave about half my hearts to posters that I particularly like and the other half I gave

out randomly to people who either didn't have any or only had a few. I just picked threads that had a lot of replies and went down the list and awarded hearts to people who didn't have them. It was just a matter of who happened to be on a particular thread and heartless. I really tried to give out as many as I could, but I could only afford so much. As far as the posters who didn't have hearts, I didn't discriminate. I just handed them out randomly.

[Midnightwalk]

14. The real trick is keeping them

When the season is over. Like this.

❤❤❤❤

[Crunchy Frog]

15. I don't know. I got three this year, and was grateful for it.

I gave out 15. I ended up buying some extra because I saw some posters who didn't have any or only one and felt bad for them.

You can definitely tell who the popular kids are during Valentines week here.

[peggysue2]

17. I gave some to people I align with in the Forum

The largest chunk went to those having few or none. Just to spread the love around.

[OriginalGeek]

18. I didn't get many (only one I think)

but I was on a cruise all last week so I didn't care.

Whoever that one was, though, Thank you! I absolutely appreciate that one!

[Delphinus]

21. I give them

to those who don't have any. I only had 25 to share and was startled that some who had lots of posts didn't have a one.

[Brother Buzz]

22. Post cute stories about dogs in the lounge....

and when that slows down a bit post even cuter stories about cats. It's easy peasy!

If that fails, you can do what I always do, post this gif in your signature line a brazilion times:

[panader0]

23. The Valentine heart thing is a bit weird.

It's kind of like a popularity contest. It can be almost embarrassing for those with many hearts and almost hurtful for those that have few or none.
I use this money drive to renew my star and give what I can.
I have seen long timers with few hearts and new posters with 20.
Thanks to the six givers.