Monday, February 15, 2016

A Sweet LOVEly Twist (Valentine's Day in Japan)

Valentine's Day is considered to be a big day here in Japan. The 14th of February is actually all about giving chocolates. In fact, an estimation is given by Japan's Chocolate and Cocoa Association that $500B  is spent annually on Valentine's Day and another half a billion dollars is spent on White Day. Wow, what a way to celebrate Valentine's Day! Moreso, there is a cute TWIST about this celebration. Heart's Day is an important day for women to profess their love. They give chocolates (store-bought or homemade) to men on this day to express their respect,  fondness, or endearment. During this occasion, chocolate is given not only to lovers or boyfriends, but also to male friends or co-employees and even the woman's  boss. This sweet twist happened because of a mistake made by one company named Morinaga back in 1950.  This was a product of a mistake on a newspaper advertisement during the time that it
was marketing Valentine's Day. A mistake in the company's printed campaign was published in different newspapers. Morinaga wanted to pattern the campaign to America's tradition of men giving chocolates to women. Japanese people then have started several actions to Westernize, thus, Morinaga's advertisement team was too eager to launch the press release.  The said company wanted to emphasize that men who give chocolates to women is an expression of love in its campaign. However the printed message became "Women giving chocolates to men is an expression of love." It was actually capitalized to a  minor mistake that led to a hit tradition being valued by most Japanese until these days.

Ooops but wait, do not ever think that the woman who is giving you chocolate is in love with you. You must have to know that there is a custom here in the Land of the Rising Sun on how to give chocolates on Valentine's Day.
One, "giri  choko" (obligatory chocolate)- This is given to male co-workers, boss, teammates or classmates as a sign of respect. A box of chocolate to be brought to the office that you work is acceptable.

Two, "cho-giri-choko"- It is like a giri chocolate but it is given to people you don't necessarily know.


Three, "honmei-choko"- This  is the kind of chocolate you give to your lover/boyfriend or husband. If you are interested to a man, you may give this kind of chocolate and confess to him your feelings on Valentine's Day. This kind of chocolate must have to be expensive and in high quality.

Four, "tomo-choko" (friendship chocolate)- This is the most recent addition to Japan's Valentine's Day Sweet Twist collection. This is becoming popular to young Japanese girls. The girls give chocolates to their girlfriends. Some women also go find ways to see their friends and make chocolates themselves to give to one another.

Men are supposed to give the return gifts to women a month later on March 14. This occasion is called the White Day, a return day for Valentine's Day which was created in 1980. Who doesn't want chocolates daily? Are you excited to celebrate the White Day like me?




Sunday, February 7, 2016

Random Thoughts

UNSHAKEN SMILE

Courage and strength in the midst of her fear
Disguises her feelings, though she woke up in tears
Uneven, rocky and rough her journey will be
Winding and long her roads are temporarily
She’s confused of the thoughts that even the toughest will tire
That the strongest will be weak and the happiest will cry

She has begun to find doubts on how far she could go
She started to get scared if she would be able to go through
There were minutes of choosing to stop and finally give up
But still she thought of how long did she hold on
and how she has battled so tough
Then she thought of how God has led her way
and guided her journey
Showing her unshaken smile, she stood up again
and began her odyssey.

#iamYsa26