New Agora School Update

Valentine's Day in Japan is quite unique and I enjoy talking about it every year with my university students. They are always surprised to hear that men offer something special to the person they love on this day for lovers. Here, it is women that GIVE, and forget about the boy friend of husband! They go out and buy tons of chocolate for all the men around them (ie. fellow students, colleagues, etc.) . These would typically cost less than 500JPY or five US dollars apiece. This is referred to as GIRI CHOCO and translates roughly into obligation chocolate. It is said that the big chocolate companies promoted this custom as a way to sell more chocolate! As the Japanese always consider it rude not to offer a gift in return White Day was created a month later on March 14th. And yes, you've got it, the men return the favor with white chocolate (or anything else white such as white panties!!)!!! I have made it one of my missions in life to have Japanese men offer a red rose to the woman they love at least once a year with February 14th being the perfect starting point.