Japan has a serious crush on Western culture. They like to celebrate our holidays, but to a foreigner, it seems like they didn't quite get the point. I don't know when the celebration of St.Valentine's Day came to Japan, but, once again, it seems like they got something mixed up in translation. That, or maybe they figured out how to do it right. Guess it's how you look at it.
To start off, Valentine's Day is all about showing loves to only males and we show that love through chocolate. The stores are filled with premium chocolates and truffles, heart-shaped cakes and accessories for making your own homemade chocolates. Apparently love isn't real unless it's expensive or homemade.
As a foreigner, it is very odd to see all these boxes of chocolate which have been packaged and made with men in mind. I'm sure any guy would like a smartly wrapped blue box of French truffles, or a few chocolates with Dragon Ball Z characters etched into them. Actually, the whole holiday is extra odd since a lot of the homemade chocolate making kits include Hello Kitty molds and most of the wrappers are pink.
While this seems very one sided, don't feel too bad for the Japanese woman. March 14th is White Day or Return Day. A very special day when all this love and hard work is returned.
I wonder what the proper return gift is for a box of chocolate covered almonds and a delicious breakfast?
Valentine's Day in Japan was created by confectionary companies. That is why there is also "white day"... they are capitalizing all they can. AND, most importantly, that is why it is in the order of female give to male on Valentine's and then male give to female on "white day". Because, the women all do it (because they feel bad if they don't), but hardly ANY men reciprocate it, because they don't care. If the chocolate companies set it up so men had to gove the presents first, the holiday(s) never would have taken off, if you know what I'm saying.
ReplyDeleteI guess...
ReplyDeleteMen aren't really incompetent. It's really not a correct assumption that all men are unloving jerks and they wouldn't naturally do something nice for the one they care about.
Valentine's day is a forced gesture. Men, and in Japans case Women, feel the need to go out and buy something for the one they love. If they don't, it automatically means they do not feel strongly about their significant other. Does anyone really like contrived and forced sentiment?