Unlike a normal Valentine’s Day, In Japan, it is only the women who give presents (mainly chocolates) to men. Japanese women are believed to be shy to express their love. (Well I don’t know about now) Therefore, Valentine's Day is an opportunity for women express their feelings.
But wait there is a different meaning with the chocolates the women give to men. Chocolates given to men whom women don't feel special love are called "giri (obligation)-choco (chocolate)" in Japan usually to co-workers and bosses. Women tend to give special gifts with chocolates to those men whom they love and this is called "honmei choco” (prospective winner). Nowadays many young Japanese girls tend to exchange chocolate gifts with their female friends. These chocolates are called "tomo choco" (Friends).
Not so fast Men....... a month later on March 14th men are supposed to return gifts to women. This is called "White Day". This is only found commonly in Japan. On this day men who received gifts of chocolate have the chance to return the favour by giving the women who gave them the gifts of chocolate a more expensive box of chocolate or sweets, or other gifts priced slightly higher than the chocolate the women gave them. The gifts that men buy are in white boxes (well it’s called "White Day") and come with separate shopping bags to put them in. Well it’s really up to the men whether or not he will return the gifts to the women, depending on their feelings.
But..... it is said that this custom is created by chocolate companies to boost their sales, and yes it is very successful. Now the chocolate companies in Japan sell more than half of their annual sales during the week before Valentine's Day :-) Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone.
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