Valentine's Day and White Day in Japan

Valentine’s day in Japan is a stressful time for me because it brings out one of the traits of Japan that I don’t particularly care for. Extreme niceness. Valentine’s day is still on February 14th but its celebrated differently in Japan because the girl buys the guy a gift and not the other way around. Men reciprocate the gesture one month later on White day. On White day, little white cookies and pastries are handed out that aren’t nearly as yummy as chocolate. On V-day not only are the women expected to buy their boyfriends or husbands gifts but you are expected to buy gifts for all of your other male friends and co-workers so things get really expensive. Luckily stores like San-A, Jusco and the gazillions of Lawsons and Family Marts make the day a little easier by bombarding you with chocolates, wine and champagne as soon as you walk in the door. Most gifts are small and affordable. They can range from \250 to \1,000 and above. I always spend close to \10,000 before I even think about my husband’s gift which is why it is so stressful. Everyone is obligated to buy these gifts whether they actually like the person they are buying for. Last year I bought the two tiniest chocolate gifts for the two butt-buddies in the office that I can’t stand and I bought everyone else regular gifts. It’s like “When in Rome” right? This year I’m just not gonna bother and I’m gonna mention it before hand so the guys won’t feel obligated to get me a White Day gift. Bah. I’m still recovering from the Christmas fiasco.