My Valentine Bouquet!

Japan has pretty much distorted the whole idea of Valentine's Day and has made this "foreign" holiday so interestingly celebrated that it has become part of the Japanese culture. In Japan, only men get gifts on Valentine's Day. Ladies are supposed to give men chocolate as a gift. Department stores and bakeries make a lot of money this time of the year, but there are also women who prefer to cook something instead of buying it.

March 14th, also known as White Day, is the day when men have to "pay back" and give women gifts as well. It is usually chocolate too, but many times, white chocolate. Men are usually responsible to give something to every woman who gave them something on February 14th.

Now, since it is my 7th Valentine's Day in Japan, I am already used to the chocolate deal. But I am also amazed when I realize that once again, I am the only lady who has received flowers from my man. It seems like it is "against the law" to do so on Valentine's Day. It has become a day when only the men show a smile on their faces while ladies walk around in hope of receiving something in return a month later. Therefore, as I walk downtown holding my bouquet, women look at me thinking: "Lucky girl! I'd better plan on a foreign boyfriend by next year..." and the men look at Mansur thinking "Man, what on Earth are you doing all this flower business for? Can't you see you are breaking the rules and giving us trouble by making our partners jealous?" What I say is: "If they knew we were married, they'd fall back!" In this country, marriage = cold relationship. Japanese can hardly imagine that a married couple would still go out on dates and give gifts to each other on occasions like this!