Here we are again. That time of the year when we can see spring on the horizon and feel the need to kick start our romantic engines with the help of chocolate, roses, and teddy bears stitched with cheesy quotations all in the name of a ambiguous Christian saint reinvented to overshadow a pagan holiday. As we all know, the saint and any of his fabricated representations have been all but completely removed from what chocolate companies have firmly claimed as their own special day to benefit from the onset of diabetes and depression. Oh Valentine's Day.
As men prepare to shovel out what little money they've earned since Christmas, I remind you that on our side of the world, it is women who do the work. The Japanese rarely pass a chance to put their own unique stamp on imports, and February 14th is no exception. Ideally, it serves as a day for shy Japanese women and girls to step out of their ordinary social barriers and express romantic feelings for that one special fella upon whom their cubicle-bound daydreams focus the other 364 days of the year.
"Lucky," you might say. "I wish I was in Japan for Valentine's Day so ladies could shower me with chocolate affection." However, tradition in this country is too strong to not play a role in this most superficial of holidays. The concept of giri requires that you return favors for those who have done something for you. Thus, giri-choko (obligation chocolate) accounts for about 99.9999% of the Valentine's gifts passed after the age of 12 and envelopes everybody from bosses and coworkers to friends and brothers. That cute little convenience store cashier or drug store attendant you've been eyeing for the past year isn't likely to express her undying love for you today. You might "accidentally" leave a purchased treat at the register so that she chases you down to return it, but you would hardly deserve a pat on the back for that show of desperation. Just sit back and enjoy the sugar as it rolls in and politely honor the lukewarm sentiment fueling the gift-giving frenzy. Sorry to rain on the Cupid parade. For those of you who fall in the gifted minority and receive the difficult to identify honmei-choko (true-love chocolate), savor the experience and start a blog so we may all enjoy your success.
Either way, men and boys must acknowledge the double reverse "giri" on White Day in March by returning any gifts received to show appreciation for any female colleagues or friends that may have contributed to the memories of 2012.
All jokes aside, have a happy Valentine's Day and may Cupid find you all.
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