Valentine's Day

In Japan, Valentine's Day works a little different. Especially compared to Oz, where it's a day that is mostly forgotten by the male population. That is unless he's hoping to get lucky for the first time tonight.

But in Japan girls give chocolates to boys on Valentine's Day. There is no meaning assumed in the exchange. In fact the chocolate is called giri choko which is literally "obligation chocolate". They do so in the hope that one month later on March 14th, they will in turn receive chocolates back from boys on what is called White Day. The male population is here is as enthusistic as its counterparts in Oz, and many girls find themselves empty-handed on White Day, despite giving out giri choko. I believe White Day has been invented by retailers of chocolates, who obviously believe us men have bigger hearts (or at least wallets) than we actually do.

Being male and the only foreigner at the school has its perks. For it's not even half past eight and I've finished scoffing my second pack of chocolates. The girls are really sweet. They often hand-make the chocolates, but always wrap them in nice paper. In Japan wrapping is important. After they hand them over they get so excited and clap their hands and/or jump up and down, before running off to tell their friends that I liked their chocolates.

As if there were any chance I wasn't going to like free chocolates!