What do you think about the custom in Japan of women giving chocolates to men on Valentine's Day as a form of "obligation," and then supposedly receiving chocolate back from the men on White Day (March 14)?

Friday 13th February, 04:00 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 42 Total Comments Show All

Triple888 at 08:31 PM JST - 13th February

It just typically shows how Japanese society is still mainly a male-focused society.
YangYong at 09:22 PM JST - 13th February

If it gets some people lovin', great.
binfalastin at 09:36 PM JST - 13th February

I think it doesn't have any meaning , particularly in Japan as it is purely business , just to sell chocolate only .On Valentine's day not only women have to give and a month later have to recieve , you give something to the people you really love .
seesaw at 01:29 AM JST - 14th February

I gave away 'tons' of giri chocos today...but again that's because I'm in a position to get 'cooperation' from everyone, especially the key personnel in the office. To me it's just part of my PR gimmick...

As for the custom itself...to be honest, I think it's rubbish and I'm totally pissed off after spending so much money today. Although I'll be getting the chocos & presents on March 14...I really don't need them..the chocos lasted me for a year...
bamboohat at 08:35 AM JST - 14th February

Being from the west, i think i'ts perfect. I get stuff on v-day, then when w-day rolls around, I can conveniently forget because we don't have w-day where I come from. sorry. next year, rinse, repeat.
OneForAll at 11:47 AM JST - 14th February

Great idea. Got a plate of chocolate right next to me. I suppose the people here in Japan saw the US troops getting chocolate from their close ones in the US. Like the Christmas cake tradition. In addition, the good people of Japan saw that the girls ought to get something too so we have White Day. Good thinking.
chill at 02:04 PM JST - 14th February

It's a total derrogation of the spirit of St. Valentine's day. It's meant to be about love: not pretense!
kavikahi at 05:32 PM JST - 14th February

Cat fights don't mix well with chocolate. Valentine lovers are supposed to. Happy Valentines day jt.
Molenir at 06:25 PM JST - 14th February

I love it. Guys in the US should adopt White Day as well. Think its a great idea.
likeitis at 06:56 PM JST - 14th February

I will just be happy if the Japanese either celebrate Christmas as Christmas or drop it, instead of treating it as Valentine's Day round II. Valentine's Day is Valentine's Day. It does not to be divided into three.

Fix that bit about Christmas and I might be more open to White Day. One good thing about it is that it does eliminate the awkward situation of receiving something but having nothing to give back. This way, you have a whole month to make the return.
kakikaki at 11:38 PM JST - 14th February

It's another western tradition modeled to japanese "not culture" but male dominance. . . . . the same men that don't hold a door open for a lady, take the sofa seat in the restaurant, to let the lady seat on the cold chair . .are the once that are too proud and lazy (weak) to actually do a real expression of love for a women by sending, giving flowers on that day.

Valentines day is a day where young boys can test their gutts and show that they want to be real men and gentlemen.

The worst is that the japanese women think they have to be kawai and take all burden away from the boys, men at the first approach.

What a circus!
TonyTakitani at 05:56 AM JST - 15th February

Valentine's Day in the US is really boring, since barely ever does a woman give something to a man. I think it should be reciprocal. Having Valentine's Day and White Day is great, especially if warm thoughts are involved. But Steve Harvey would go for cookies....
Nessie at 08:53 PM JST - 15th February

White Day should be before Valentine's Day.

That way, when we guys forgot, we could blame it on naked dislike rather than on forgetfullness and ingratitude.
temporaryVisa at 11:18 PM JST - 19th February

I thought cookies were the norm on White Day.
boitoi at 10:38 AM JST - 23rd February

if its just giri choco, its like an exchange gift. i prefer honmei choco, it tastes sweeter.