Sometimes Japan just gets things right.
Recently I had a close friend of mine move from California to Yokohama.
One of the first things I made sure to tell him was that he didn't have
to get a present for his wife on Valentine's Day.
He looked at me with eyes filled with both doubt and a glimmer of hope
that I was actually telling the truth. It
may seem obvious to many of you reading this that on Valentine's Day it is
women's turn to give chocolates and presents, but you see, in America it is the
opposite. Valentine's Day is a time
both looked forward to and dreaded by men because although it is an exciting and
romantic day, it is also one where most men are expected to wow their
significant others with gifts of all kinds and carefully planned event-filled
evenings.
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The extent of these plans obviously vary
greatly from person to person, and although sometimes women also give presents,
Valentine's Day is primarily an event for men to show their love.
If men give presents on Valentine's Day, then what about White Day you
ask? In America there is no White
Day. White Day is a holiday made in
Japan about 30 years ago. With Japan
having two days of celebration, both men and women have equal opportunity and
obligation to do something special for their partner.
So as I said before, sometimes Japan just gets things right.
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