Valentine's
February 14th is Valentine's Day in Japan. But, unlike most western countries, in this day woman are supposed to give chocolate to man. Well, another thing is that chocolates aren't given only to the person one loves. Although it's the time of the year when it's said that a women "can declare her love", there are various meanings in giving a chocolate other than love. For example friendship and giri (that would be roughly translated as "obligation"). Examples of that would be an OL (office lady) giving "giri choco" to her coworkers or a student giving to some senpai (roughly "senior").
I personally don't agree much with the giri concept that's also found in various parts of the Japanese culture (I don't accept well giving presents, inviting to events people one really doesn't want to), but on the other hand I also can't agree completely with the Brazilian culture anyway... As I'm here I'm coping that and learning from it.
So, the weeks before Valentine's are filled with choco ads, besides all the usual "romantic propaganda" (that may be the only time I may regret a little not having a date). Men are supposed to "repay" that on White Day one month after giving women (usually those from whom one'd got chocolate) a present. Now I've heard two versions for that. One says he's supposed to give some sweet/candy with marshmellow (so comes the name). Other says that the present can be almost anything material... flowers, rings... I don't know which is correct, and I'd appreciate some hint from someone in the known.
About myself, I got some chocolates and thank those who gave them. Before some start becoming too happy, I got giri and friendship chocolate only as far as I know.
And that might be of interest to some people. In Brazil, Valentine's Day is on June 12th (no White Day... the usual is man giving presents to the woman he loves or couples exchanging presents... as far as I know). One possible reason for the change is because it's close to the day of the "wedding saint" (Santo Antônio) in Brazil.
I personally don't agree much with the giri concept that's also found in various parts of the Japanese culture (I don't accept well giving presents, inviting to events people one really doesn't want to), but on the other hand I also can't agree completely with the Brazilian culture anyway... As I'm here I'm coping that and learning from it.
So, the weeks before Valentine's are filled with choco ads, besides all the usual "romantic propaganda" (that may be the only time I may regret a little not having a date). Men are supposed to "repay" that on White Day one month after giving women (usually those from whom one'd got chocolate) a present. Now I've heard two versions for that. One says he's supposed to give some sweet/candy with marshmellow (so comes the name). Other says that the present can be almost anything material... flowers, rings... I don't know which is correct, and I'd appreciate some hint from someone in the known.
About myself, I got some chocolates and thank those who gave them. Before some start becoming too happy, I got giri and friendship chocolate only as far as I know.
And that might be of interest to some people. In Brazil, Valentine's Day is on June 12th (no White Day... the usual is man giving presents to the woman he loves or couples exchanging presents... as far as I know). One possible reason for the change is because it's close to the day of the "wedding saint" (Santo Antônio) in Brazil.
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