Really, that's all Valentine's Day is here in Japan. Despite all the love hearts on packaging, there is far more giri-choco being passed around than declarations of love. And we won't even mention that only women give presents to men in Japan on this day....My husband and I don't really make a big deal out of Valentine's Day. We use it as an excuse to give each other a little token of chocolate and go on a date, but that's actually not so different to what we do on a regular basis anyway.
I do feel a little sorry for the girls in Japan. When I was that age, there was nothing more thrilling than sending an anonymous card to a boy I had a secret crush on, or the hope that I might get one myself. The girls here give chocolates to all their friends, male family members and teachers, so the expression of any real romantic feeling must be diluted quite considerably. They then only have the hope of a return gift by someone they gave something to in the first place. A bit of a killjoy if you ask me.
Mind you, unlike in my Christmas That Isn’t rant, I'm not complaining about the Japanese twist on this holiday - it means I score lots of goodies! Since Tuesday, girls at my school have been dropping by my desk, giving me treats they made themselves. The picture at the top is of some of my stash from today. I don't know why I bothered bringing lunch really.....
Last year, it took me by surprise, so on Valentine's Day I was busy writing down students' names and then on White Day, running around trying to find those students to give them a return gift. This year, I came prepared. I have lots of little packets of treats (though not handmade) to give in exchange. I hope I've brought enough... and of course, anything I don't give out, I can eat myself!
Happy Chocolate Day everyone!
3 comments:
I scored a bit of Giri Choco myself on Thursday, but I am also looking forward to repaying those ladies with high quality cookies.
Just be careful with how many you eat per day and make sure you keep up your pore cleanse routine, otherwise you're going to get pimples. I know I will be using my Muji pore pack shortly.
Never, never feel sorry for the ladies when it comes to Valentine's day here. Once they get boyfriends, most days are all about them.
At least until they squeeze one out.
Hey Contamination; Good to hear you got some of that Giri Choco bootie... thanks for the beauty tips, mind you, I think my body would go into shock if I stop eating large quantities of chocolate ;)
Hey southofreality; Good to hear the girls are still doing well out of the culture. Someone blogged (I think it was My So-Called Japanese Life) that what we consider Valentine's Day traditions is the Christmas Eve traditions here.
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