Valentine's Day around the World

[TheresaV]

Hi guys 

It’s Monday! You’re probably asking yourself why I’m so excited about that. But it’s not a regular Monday: To my joy (and hopefully also to yours) we are officially kicking off Love Week on the O2 Community today! And Love Week isn’t just about the upcoming (and sometimes heavily dreaded) Valentine’s Day - Instead we decided to do something special every day of this week, together with the help of some of our amazing members, in order to give you a week full of fun, excitement and - most importantly - LOVE! 

Let it begin… with a little travel abroad. Saying little, but actually today I want to talk about how Valentine’s Day is in Japan. And even though we often think that celebratory days like these are universal, there are often a lot of different ways these are interpreted and celebrated.

In Japan for example, it’s customary for women to give a gift, often made of handmade chocolates, to all of the males they know as friends or colleagues as a sign of respect. This gift is called Giri-Choco (義理チョコ) which literally translates to “obligatory chocolate”. This tradition is however getting less and less popular, as it clearly doesn’t make much sense to be pressured into giving a gift in order not to offend someone. 

But what about couples? Still, chocolate (they sure know what they are doing)! But for your significant other it is Honmei-Choco (本命チョコ) which is basically the opposite of the above and means the real thing. These are usually made from more expensive ingredients and thus of much higher quality than Giri-Choco. Of course. Women don’t receive anything from their male counterparts on Valentine’s Day by the way, they instead have to wait until March the 14th, the so called “White Day”, on which men reciprocate the gesture with a gift to their partners.

Do you have similar traditions at home? Do you like to give little gifts to your friends or family to express your love? I really like the idea of giving chocolates on Valentine’s Day that I made myself, but I would rather do it all year round and get (hopefully more) back Tell me about your traditions at home and in your friendship circle that you enjoy as much as I enjoy my chocolate! 

[jonsie]

That would be perfect

[TheresaV]

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@jonsie wrote:

Thailand has adopted many Western traditions so Valentine's Day is also traditional there

Except the lady normally gives a single Ratchaphruek which is a golden coloured flower

The men are expected to bestow all manner of gold objects for their beloved

Don't you just love virtual gifts!

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@jonsie Oh wow that's interesting, I haven't heard of that before (although I wouldn't mind a gold necklace myself ). Giving flowers is a beautiful tradition I think but shouldn't be tied only to Valentine's and should go both ways I think!

@TallTrees Have you ever tried Godiva chocolate? If you do one thing this Valentine's, gift yourself some Godiva chocolate. It's so so good 

[TallTrees]

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@TheresaV wrote:

@TallTrees Have you ever tried Godiva chocolate? If you do one thing this Valentine's, gift yourself some Godiva chocolate. It's so so good 

@TheresaV 

Well that sounds very interesting ~ I have not even heard of Godiva Chocolate!

Will look for it.

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[TallTrees]

Hi @TheresaV
Found them and bought a box arriving Sunday 💖
Let you know....

[TheresaV]

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@TallTrees wrote:
Hi @TheresaV
Found them and bought a box arriving Sunday 💖
Let you know....

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Oh really? So quick! I really hope you like them as much as I do 

[Mi-Amigo]

@TheresaV 

Are they called Godiva chocolates because women eat them naked on a horse? or cost Cockney guys £5 for their significant other 

Took advice, got carer to get me dark chocolate which I`ll consume on me own on Sunday 

[TheresaV]

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@Mi-Amigo wrote:

@TheresaV 

Are they called Godiva chocolates because women eat them naked on a horse? or cost Cockney guys £5 for their significant other 

Took advice, got carer to get me dark chocolate which I`ll consume on me own on Sunday 

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I hope not, I certainly don't I just looked it up and apparently it means 'gift of god'. I'm a bit surprised there as I thought that was me already  

[TallTrees]

I will like them @TheresaV
Godiva Belgian chocolates with hazlenut praline filling..
Gorgeous 😍 I definitely deserve these😊

[pgn]

They're called Godiva Chocolates, because on the morning of 15-Feb, as you awake, the first thing you say, if the celebration went well:

• "God I've a headache, never again..."

A mystery card, a bunch of flowers, and a bottle of bubbly with the evening possibly Oriental, or Indian, meal 🍾. 

Rootin', tootin', yeah... 

[TallTrees]

Well I don't know about the "other" goodies @pgn 

but I will be getting the

Godiva Chockies 

@TheresaV    will be cooking up a storm for Valentines