I wonder if you received a balloon (or balloons), flowers, chocolates or a card this morning or perhaps you will be treated to a romantic meal later?
It’s easy to assume that all around the world people will be celebrating in the same way; exchanging tokens of love of some sort. However, that’s not true.
Did you know that in Japan and Korea, it’s all one-sided on Valentine’s Day and women are the ones who should provide chocolates? What’s more, this not only for their beloved but also for their male colleagues too!! But before you start to feel too sorry for them, I’d better tell you that it all works out in the end when a month later on White Day, the guys buy gifts of greater value than those received on Valentine’s Day! White Day is observed in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China where ther term ‘sanbai gaeshi’, meaning ‘triple the return’ is used to describe the rule of giving a more expensive gift than the one received a month earlier.
In South Korea, there is even a Black Day which is observed on April 14th where those who didn’t receive any gifts on the previous months get together and eat noodles in black bean sauce to celebrate (or maybe mourn?) singledom!
Meanwh hile in Pakistan, Valentine’s Day is seen as an immoral concept and street vendors in Islamabad selling heart-shaped balloons are rounded up and detained by police.
So, love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is here but above all be thankful for the freedom to celebrate the day (or not) in the way that suits you best!
Rachel, Balloonologist