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Valentine's Day in the US and Japan

2022.09.05
  • Will Fusco ** Photo courtesy of alexandergrey @pexels.com **
  • Culture
  • Intermediate
  • 2022

Valentine’s Day in Japan looks similar enough to the US version… on the surface. Downtown you can find decorations with similar themes, stores and shops have special promotions for chocolates and sweets, and couples celebrate together. But as I said, this is only similar on the surface. There are some differences that I still struggle with. 


When I experienced Valentine’s Day in Japan for the first time, what surprised me was that as a man, I didn’t have to do anything. Just get chocolate or sweets. If you haven’t heard before, in most other countries where Valentine’s Day is celebrated, men are the ones who do the work. There is no White Day where we get to defer our gift giving obligation for a month. In fact, the Valentine’s Day-White Day situation in Japan reminds me of the “girl’s choice song” at American high school dances… accept on Valentine’s Day, the girls make the “first move” every time. By the way, if you’re not familiar, “girl’s choice” is when the DJ tells the room that the girls ask the guys to dance for the next song. In the US, it’s usually the opposite, both on the dance floor and in other aspects of dating. 


But back to V-day. In my case, I have become spoiled. I got used to getting home-baked cakes among other things every year. Because this has become my “normal” every Valentine’s Day, I would probably have some trouble adjusting to the old way if I were back in the US, just like I did when I started celebrating it here. Every year, after I get my yummy cakes and chocolate, I quickly move on with life and forget until the last minute that White Day is coming. One month is just long enough to forget that I need to do something special for my wife. This results in me usually rushing around at the last minute to put something together. I haven’t had any disasters yet, but the point is that White Day always sneaks up on me. It’s something I have never gotten used to. If you are planning on studying/living abroad in another country and find yourself “involved” with someone, you might have similar problems adjusting to the change in procedure. My wife and I are pretty chill about it, but some people, at least in the US, take Valentine’s Day pretty seriously. Just remember this for a US Valentine’s Day; guys, it’s us who are giving the chocolate. Don’t be caught flat footed. And ladies, even though there is no White Day, when you get something nice from your man, don’t neglect to return the favor.


Q1. According to the passage, what is the main difference between Valentine’s Day in Japan and the US?

a) Japanese couples like to eat white chocolate more than American couples on White Day.

b) In Japan, it is more common to eat cake on Valentine’s Day than in the US.

c) Men usually give chocolate or gifts on Valentine’s Day in the US and on White Day in Japan.


Q2. In the second paragraph, why does the author think Valentine’s Day and the “girl’s choice song” at a dance are similar?

a) In both situations, couples get to dance.

b) In both situations, women are supposed to be more assertive than men.

c) In both situations, women are supposed to wait for the man to do something.


Q3. In the last paragraph, which answer has the closest meaning to this sentence? “My wife and I are pretty chill about it.”

 

 a) It gets pretty cold around Valentine’s Day.

 b) They are not very serious about Valentine’s Day.

 c) They try to relax in serious situations.

 

Scroll down for the answers to the quiz




















A1. c

A2. b

A3. b

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