One more day and the Day of Hearts comes around again. For many people around the world, this is the day when lovers celebrate their passion for each other. Japan is no different. However, their celebration takes on a slight twist. While in the Western world, men generally give their partners chocolates and gifts for Valentine’s, in Japan it is the other way around.
Women are the ones who give chocolate to the men! There are two different kinds of chocolate gifts on Valentine’s Day. One is the giri choco (obligatory chocolate). This is given by women to male colleagues, friends, and superiors at work. The other is honmei choco (chocolate for the man the woman is serious about). Quite obviously, this is for the special man in a woman’s life. In addition to the honmei choco, a woman may give her man something special like a tie for example.
[tags]Japan, food, culture, Valentine’s Day, chocolate[/tags]