Valentine's Day
Yesterday, I saw so many people carrying beautiful flowers and when I passed by the streets, most of the restaurants were full with people happily celebrating Valentine's Day. ( or it may have been the celebration of Olympics or Chinese New Year!!!)
Now I am not surprised to see kind and happy looking men buying flowers for their partners. But when I first experienced North American Style Valentine's Day I was very surprised because in Japan we celebrate Valentine's Day quite differently.
FROM WOMEN TO MEN
From my perspective, in North America, people celebrate Valentine's Day as a couple. Men and Women both as a couple try to make that day romantic. Flowers, Chocolates, Candle Dinners...etc... both partners contribute to enjoy the Valentine's Day atmosphere.
Compared to gender neutral N. American style, Japanese Valentine's Day is very gender specific. In Japan, it is girls who give chocolate to boys. It is a day for girls to confess their feelings to boys by giving chocolates to them.
I used to think this was unfair. Why should girls work extra hard and boys get delicious treats?
But now, I think that Valentine's Day is a big opportunity and chance for shy and reserved Japanese women to be courageous and show their feelings. And men enjoy a heartfelt gift of chocolate. 
COURTESY CHOCOLATE
In Japan, women not only give chocolates to someone they like. They have social pressure to give chocolates to male co-workers or male class mates. Indeed I remember every year, on 14th of February, my father used to bring two or three bags full of chocolates that his female colleagues gave him. In this case, the chocolate is not for showing love, but to show friendship, respect, or kindness. It is interesting how simple act of giving a chocolate can create cheerful atmosphere and better communication within work place or class room.
My father was not big fun of sweet stuff and My mom and I finished most of the chocolates he got. But he still seemed happy for the his female co-worker's effort and consideration.
WHITE DAY
So until now, it sounds like girls are the hard workers and boys are the lucky ones, right?
No. Japanese gentlemen also put effort. In Japan, it is a custom to give the present back to women on March 14th. It is called White Day. The present can be cookies, candies, flowers... anything.
RECENT TREND
Although everything I mentioned above is still relevant in Japan, there is a new trend.
Nowadays, boys and men starting to learn Western Culture and beginning to give chocolates to girls.
It is called Reverse Chocolate.
All in all, no matter which part of the world you are or what cultural background you come from, we all have one thing in common. We all enjoy the most romantic day of the year. V-Day!!!!
