Valentine's Day is one of those holidays. I'm not quite sure what to make of it. In America, we celebrate Valentine's Day in a certain way. On occasion, this holiday has overlapped with one of my relationships, and in that case I am obligated to engage in the festivities. I would buy chocolate and flowers, take the girl out to dinner and a movie, and try to act romantic. It wouldn't be crazy to assume most men have gone through this process and can understand where I'm coming from.
In Japan, it's a little different. On Valentine's Day, women are obligated to give chocolate to men. We are not required to do anything but accept it with a smile. There are three types of chocolate women make: giri choco for co-workers and friends; honmei choco for man that the woman is serious about; and tomo choco for female friends. These types of chocolates differ by meaning and ingridients. Honmei choco are often handmade, while giri choco can be purchased at stores. The added effort of making chocolate yourself is meant to convey the serious nature of a woman's feelings.
Around 1978, the confectionary industry decided that Japanese men should "repay" women by returning the favor. On March 14th, one month after Valentine's Day, Japan celebrates White Day. On this day, men who received chocolates on February 14th are obligated to give chocolates themselves. Usually this type of chocolate is more grandiose and expensive. The term sanbai gaeshi, meaning "triple the return," is used on White Day to illustrate that the gift in question should be at least three times as valuable as the gift that was received on Valentine's Day.
So, ultimately, the woman makes out better in either situation.
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