Valentines a la Japanese

"Who travels for love finds a thousand miles not longer than one". - Japanese proverb.

Japan is unique in a lot of ways including how Valentine's day is celebrated. One month before the 14th of February, shopping malls start to brighten up the gloomy winter season with striking red ribbons and hearts superimposed with valentine's day greetings. The short phrases in English, though sometimes misspelled and absurd try to convey that valentine's day is just around the corner. Japanese couples who are too shy to express their love in public quietly browse the wide array of valentine goodies as the polite store clerks tirelessly reiterate their valentine's day promo, mostly on chocolates of every kind and form. Everything tries to connect with the celebration. There are valentine's day sale of things from vacuum cleaners to take away sushi. But wait, while the men just simply shrug and look indifferent, the women spend considerable time scrutinizing the visual and the gustatory appeal of the presents. This is because in Japan, it is the women who give presents to the men during valentine's day. Now, this may sound strange (or unique) to other countries, but it is the practice here. The women, on the other hand, get their sweet revenge after a month when "White Day" comes. This day is peculiar to Japan and it is the men who give gifts to the women this time. The origin of these practices is still unknown to me so my researcher instincts dictate me to search for the answers as soon as possible.

I received some presents today, one from Phiphi and the others from my Japanese friends. I have a sweet tooth so I am sure that I will love munching these chocolates which have a melting point slightly below human body temperature so it melts in your mouth, releasing the endorphins which make it so pleasant regardless of the taste. So, Happy Valentine's Day to all! It is good to celebrate the occasion here because you get a lot of chocolates.

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