Dia del Amor y la Amistad?!

Valentine’s Day just passed and how do you show your appreciation to your loved ones? Maybe some of us do not agree that celebrating this day is not suitable for our culture but nevertheless, showing your love and appreciation to your family, friends and loved ones is never too much. Yet, this should not be limited to only one day, for love is eternal that flows from days before to the days yet to come. However for this edition, we would not get mushy all over. But we will view in retrospective how other cultures celebrate this day.
In Norfolk, a character called 'Jack' Valentine knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and presents for children. Although he was leaving treats, many children were scared of this mystical person. In Wales, many people celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen's Day) on January 25 instead of or as well as St Valentine's Day.
The most interesting ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day could be found in Asian culture. In Japan for example, women are expected to give chocolates to counterpart colleague. This is called ‘giri choko’, as in giri (‘obligation’) and choko (‘chocolate’). ‘Honmei choko’ is the chocolate given to loved ones. ‘Tomo choko’ is chocolate given from a friend to another, usually girls. The men is not spared from this tradition, when they are expected to return the favour of whom had given them chocolate on March 14, which is called White Day one full month later.
South Korea seems to have a darker sense of humour than its neighbouring country. While they do celebrate Valentine and White Day in similar fashion, they have another tradition for the singles. On April 14, those who did not receive anything on Valentine or White Day will go to any Chinese restaurant to eat black noodles and mourn their single life. I’d say, black noodles sound like a pretty good meal!