Misunderstanding about "Valentine's Day"
During the Nagano Olympics, many things about Japan and Japanese culture were introduced in the Olympic broadcasts. I enjoyed them noticing that there are less extreme introductions describing Japan as mysterious workaholic country in the Far East. (I should say eating octopus was treated still quite sensationally, though.)
On February 14, they showed the Valentine's Day custom in Japan as "the Japanese tradition."
In Japan, the day is said to be the day when girls can confess their love to their boyfriends and now girls give presents to their boyfriends. Chocolate is the most popular item. And many times girls give presents also to their colleagues and bosses, letting them know that they are not totally ignored. (This is called as GIRI CHOCO, "obliged chocolate," differentiated from "serious chocolate" which is for the true boyfriends.)
And on March 14, which is called as "White Day," men are supposed to give presents back to women who gave presents first. Recipients of GIRI CHOCO are obliged to do so, too.
I left Japan seven years ago. Back then White Day was not so popular. I wonder if it became more popular now.
It is common knowledge that it is the chocolate manufacturers who spread the custom of the Valentine's Day successfully and that it is also they who have been trying hard to have White Day be accepted successfully. So when I heard the custom was a "Japanese Tradition," I was bothered.
In the U.S., Valentine's Day is the day when lovers exchange their presents. Not the day only for girls to give presents. No chance for GIRI CHOCO. But I can tell chocolate is one of most popular items as presents of the day.
As far as they exchange their presents, it is not necessary for them to give another presents back one month later. So I don't think "White Day" exists in the U.S.
But my daughter told me that in the kindergarten she attended all children gave their cards to the teacher on the Valentine's day. So person to whom you give presents may not be limited to your girl/boy friends. Person who you like may be included.
But according to my friend, Tim, once a person starts understanding the meaning of love, then exchanges are limited to those whom you share the feelings.
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