Many people all over the world think that Japan is an exotic country because of its strange customs. White day is one such custom unique to Japan.
“White day” is celebrated on March 14, exactly one month after the Valentine’s day.
Though Japan is not a christian country, both these days are very popular among the young Japanese.
In Japan, a girl has to buy dozens of chocolate boxes on the Valentine’s day.
One of them may be for her lover , and the rest called “Giri Choco” are meant for the male colleagues at her office, university etc. “Giri Choco” literally means chocolates given out of obligation. It serves two purposes – keep the guys without any sweetheart happy and also to boost the business of the chocolate industry. In fact, the white day is an invention of the Japanese chocolate industry.
So, how do the Japanese celebrate the white day ? Well, if a guy receives a chocolate box on the Valentine’s day, he has to be nice and return the gesture by offering a chocolate box to the girl on the white day – even if these was no love involved in receiving or giving the chocolates.
I received some chocolates from our office ladies. Now I have to be good and return their chocolates on the white day ! It’s no wonder that almost 30% of the chocolates sold in Japan in year are sold on these two days.
