(found this post I started a looong time ago but never get to finish.......now here it is)
Unknown to most, the Japanese celebrate Valentines day in a different fashion to what most of us are used to. In Japan its the women who offer chocolates /gifts to the men. Then the men are suppose to return the gifts on another date called the white day, march 14th. Another smart custom created by the chocolate companies to boost their chocolate sales.
Unknown to most, the Japanese celebrate Valentines day in a different fashion to what most of us are used to. In Japan its the women who offer chocolates /gifts to the men. Then the men are suppose to return the gifts on another date called the white day, march 14th. Another smart custom created by the chocolate companies to boost their chocolate sales.
The women not only give chocolate to their partner but also to colleagues, friends and acquaintance as a sign of gratitude. Don't get too excited when you receive a chocolate from a Japanese girl, most of the time its out of obligation and doesn't hold any romantic interest. Traditionally, if someone does you are favor, then you feel obligated to do something for that person and sometimes its a valentines chocolate.
On march 14th its the men's turn to return the favor by giving chocolate to the female. What I'm not sure of is if they hand out chocolate to all their female acquaintance. Whats for sure is that it is not as popular as the Valentines day.
My first year in Japan I find it a bit upsetting because it seems that I wont be getting any chocolate or attention from the male population.lol. However, after a year being single and all I kind of appreciate the thought. I can still enjoy valentines by splurging on chocolate, roses and those tiny cute hearts for my male college mates. And the best thing is there's no hidden feelings or fantasies behind this gesture.
Now fast forward to my first valentines with my now husband. At first I just assumed that since we are foreigners we are both going to dive in and spoil each other. WRROONNG!! He argued that since we were in Japan, we had to follow the Japanese culture of doing valentines. Which was fine by me because I will get my turn on March 14th. I arrived with boxes of chocolates for him and his roommate, a Japanese. That didn't go down well with my boyfriend, which had me confused seeing that we are doing it Japanese. I'm obliged to give something to his roommate because that's hows its done. Since the roommate spent most of his time at home with us anyway.
With Valentines behind us, I keep reminding him that he better not forget March 14th, white day. The day finally arrived and his argument was; But I'm a foreigner and this doesn't apply to me. Besides Valentines day is over.....I stood there looking at him for a few minutes, horrified, then gave him a big fat Fuck You, left for my own apartment and remain there for the next couple of weeks,pissed.
So basically Valentines in Japan is more about the guy receiving gifts, then the favor is returned on march 14th. I for one like the idea because between many couples its always the guy who planned the event. And get scolded for not choosing the right restaurant, not romantic enough etc etc.
Back to us, that was our very first valentines and our last. According to him, its the first time he received chocolate on Valentines, according to me I couldn't care less. Besides, I'm not a valentines, Halloween, Christmas kind of person anyway.
My first year in Japan I find it a bit upsetting because it seems that I wont be getting any chocolate or attention from the male population.lol. However, after a year being single and all I kind of appreciate the thought. I can still enjoy valentines by splurging on chocolate, roses and those tiny cute hearts for my male college mates. And the best thing is there's no hidden feelings or fantasies behind this gesture.
Now fast forward to my first valentines with my now husband. At first I just assumed that since we are foreigners we are both going to dive in and spoil each other. WRROONNG!! He argued that since we were in Japan, we had to follow the Japanese culture of doing valentines. Which was fine by me because I will get my turn on March 14th. I arrived with boxes of chocolates for him and his roommate, a Japanese. That didn't go down well with my boyfriend, which had me confused seeing that we are doing it Japanese. I'm obliged to give something to his roommate because that's hows its done. Since the roommate spent most of his time at home with us anyway.
With Valentines behind us, I keep reminding him that he better not forget March 14th, white day. The day finally arrived and his argument was; But I'm a foreigner and this doesn't apply to me. Besides Valentines day is over.....I stood there looking at him for a few minutes, horrified, then gave him a big fat Fuck You, left for my own apartment and remain there for the next couple of weeks,pissed.
So basically Valentines in Japan is more about the guy receiving gifts, then the favor is returned on march 14th. I for one like the idea because between many couples its always the guy who planned the event. And get scolded for not choosing the right restaurant, not romantic enough etc etc.
Back to us, that was our very first valentines and our last. According to him, its the first time he received chocolate on Valentines, according to me I couldn't care less. Besides, I'm not a valentines, Halloween, Christmas kind of person anyway.
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