Hopefully everyone was able to enjoy their Valentine's Day last weekend. Compared to the US, Valentine's Day in Japan is quite different and moreover, a lot more serious. In Japan, it is *usually only the woman who gives out chocolate to the person they love, and the day is considered to be a great opportunity to express romantic feelings and start out a relationship. Chocolate-giving can be either “Giri-choco” (which is the chocolate distributed as gratitude or friendship such to bosses, friends or family) or “Honmei-choco” (the serious chocolate only given to the person the women truly loves or have romantic interests). Men who received gifts on Valentine’s Day are expected to return gifts to the women the following month on “White Day”, which is 3/14. This day is a Japanese creation and cannot be seen elsewhere. So, when you receive either a “Giri-choco” or a “Honmei-choco” in Japan, make sure you make appropriate return gifts on White Day!
Can you tell the difference between Giri and honmei chocolate. I have known the way Japanese Valentine's day works for a while but always wondered if you could tell the difference if the girl didn't have to courage to say it herself and just left the chocolate in your dark or your office.
ReplyDeleteuh I don't know how I typed dark instead of desk; I guess I am just an idiot; but I meant desk not dark. (>_<)
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