14.2. St.Valentine's Day

Today's 14th February, St. Valentine's Day. While in Austria and Britain it's traditionally flowers to the ladies, in Japan it's chocolate to the boys...
Until not so long ago, Valentine's Day was completely unknown in Japan, only in the last century the Japanese chocolate industry got this brilliant idea to boost their sales. So, in a typical post-seclusion-Japanese-style way they took a Western idea and modified it to their needs, promoting the idea that women should give chocolate on the 14th to their beloved men in massive advertisement campaigns. And to make things perfect for them, they introduced the so-called "White Day" one month later on the 14th March, when the guys have to give chocolate to the ladies... clever, isn't it? Typically Japanese.
Anyway, happy Valentine, everyone!!