Valentine day chocolates

Valentine chocolates

The valentine day brings cheer to me every year especially in Japan, as I get to recieve chocolates from near and dear female friends. This year too I was presented with plenty of them coming from various quarters -work place friends, well wishers, kid friends and the most cherishable - girlfriend.

The concept of valentine day celebration in Japan is different from the rest of the world in that the ladies present gifts (necessarily chocolates) to their guy friends. Recently, in my japanese language class, I happen to learn that this custom exists only in Japan and probably started as a promotion from chocolate making companies. Interestingly, on television I heard that this year some companies also branded their chocolates as '逆 (Gyaku or Reverse) choco'. As the name suggests this was to promote gifting from men to women. I am not sure how big a hit it was. But at least it might profit those companies to some extent.

Valentine chocolates

These were some of the chocolates that I recieved on valentine's day. In contrast to other countries including India where on valentine's day loving couples exchange gifts, in Japan the custom is slightly different. On that day men recieve gifts (allmost always chocolates) from the fairer sex, be it either your girlfriend or any well-wisher. I was abound with chocolates from different quarters coming from two T.shima-sans (jap mom and my dorm manager), Oba-chan (jap granny), dept. staff and beloved k.th.

But the cliche is returning the gifts on 'White day', which falls on March 14th. Haven't heard of this day before coming to Japan.

Y'day in a radio programme by FBC ('Itteirashhai' from Suzuki hanji), there was a talk on chocolates, where in the DJ told that chocolates are good for health (contains minerals like magnesium and calcium in balance) and its a myth that they cause obesity, caries, nosebleed or even pimples. The aroma of chocolates are to be smelt before eating them. A chocolate activates the brain and hence is useful in rejuvenation.

Well, my experiments with those I recieved was a fair success and the one I ate before posting this is still keeping me active!