Life In Japan: White Day

Japan is a gift-giving culture.  There are hardly any occasions for which it is not customary or at least acceptable to proffer a gift.  A visit, a lunch at someone's house, health issues, news of even the lightest import -- new pet, new home, new car, new set of dentures,  -- knitting socks, harvesting soybeans, a near traffic accident.  Yes, I had a lady almost hit me on my bicycle with her car -- she slammed on her brakes and literally stopped with her bumper against my pant leg -- track me down (not very hard since I'm the only elderly Westerner in the area with Rod Stewart hair), and leave a bag of eggplants on my porch.  Add this abundance of uniquely Japanese magnanimity to the conventional observances which most modern developed economies share and have duly exploited to nauseating levels of melodrama and sentimentality -- weddings, funerals, graduations,  anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day -- means hefty dividends for anyone heavily invested in industries making gift-wrapping, ribbons and bows.

Amplifying the initial impetus for graciousness and generosity driving the whole gifting frenzy -- evidently hard-wired into Japanese people -- the act of giving a gift triggers a immediate, requisite response, a reciprocation in kind, the product of heart-felt appreciation for the original gesture:  The 'thank-you-for-the gift' gift.

"どうもありがとうございました！"  (Thank you so very much!)

"どういたしまして！"   (You are indeed very welcome!)



It is beyond any dispute:  If gift-giving were for some mysterious reason to suddenly come to a halt here, the entire Japanese economy would collapse within hours.

One month after Valentines Day in Japan -- meaning March 14th -- we have White Day.
White Day is the occasion for the guys to give to the girls sweet treats and other simple gifts, payback for bestowing on them piles of chocolate and other heart-shaped confections on February 14th.

Is it tit-for-tat?  Do guys at least for this simple, rather innocent holiday put their chauvinism on hold, do the expected thing by giving a thank-you-for-the gift' gift?

Some do.  Others ignore most of the girls who've been generous with them and just give a White Day treat to the one(s) they're interested in, as in viewing with something remotely resembling romantic interest.

Whatever the case, while diabetes is on the increase here in Japan, afflicting around 6% of the population, it still is ranks far behind the three leaders:  India, China, and the U.S.

Not that many people worry about the insulinary efficiency of their pancreas on either Valentines or White Day.  That would probably be true just about anywhere in the world.

Time for a Snickers bar, anyone?


[ This originated at the author's personal page . . . http://jdrachel.com ]



Life In Japan: White Day

Life In Japan: Valentines Day

日本の女の子たちはとても素敵です！ 彼らは西洋で失われた無実を持っています。

Japan, like most Eastern cultures is very patriarchal, bordering on officially sanctioned misogyny.  I could go on and on about why this is so, despite the extreme Westernization and "modernization" of the country.  But it would be pure speculation.  Certainly, much of it is born out of deep and longstanding traditions generated during the tribalism of pre-history.  But I suspect the modern manifestation of male dominance imbedded in male-female relations is now more a product of extreme insecurity and a sense of inadequacy by boys and men -- collectively borne at a very sub-conscious level, of course -- than it is a reflection of the inheritance of rigorous structural societal norms.  This probably sounds like extremely superficial pop psychology, masking as a gracious critique.  But I'm hardly apologizing for what I observe might be vagina envy or something even more ridiculously unflattering and ultimately embarrassing or pernicious. 



Isn't there a homily that goes like this?:  We worship that which flatters us, love what we can dominate, ridicule what we find puzzling, lash out at what we don't understand, enslave and torment that which reminds us how pitiful and primitive we ultimately are.

They celebrate Valentines Day here -- it's a distinctly Japanese version of the love holiday -- which like everything else in the U.S. has been turned into just more marketing, churning out of kitsch, and indulging in commodified histrionics.  Pumping up the GDP is the only reason for anything and everything, after all.  They'll be putting a meter on my love muscle and collecting a surtax any day now.

Right in line with everything that goes on here, especially involving human interaction, there's a sweet innocence to Valentines Day, remindful of a time before my time and thus not something I can duly remember.  But think of Frank Capra movies and extrapolate.



It's innocent to be sure, but the guys are still in charge.  Yes, on Valentines Day, the guys in Japan just sit back and the girls pile it on -- chocolate, that is.  From what I can tell, none of the giving is based on hot passion, hot sex, hot anticipation.  Basically, the message is:  "I'm a girl and you're a boy and you're not all that bad."  Or maybe:  "I like you.  I think.  Call me maybe?"

As an English teacher, I got my share of Valentines chocolates from ladies of all ages.  Yes, I mean ALL ages.  From 7 years old to 60, 70, and beyond!

And all I was obligated to do was collect it, smile, say ありがとうございました (thank you so very much), then eat it at my convenience.



I almost felt guilty about all of the attention.

Then again . . .

There's a payback.  But it's very asymmetrical.  It happens exactly one month later.

March 14th is called White Day. 

Stay tuned.


[ This originated at the author's personal website . . . http://jdrachel.com ]



Life In Japan: Valentines Day