Valentine’s Day, aka Red Day

I didn’t think it was possible for Valentine’s Day to be more commercial than in the United States. I was obviously wrong. The Koreans put Hallmark to shame.

First, a little background on the way it is celebrated here. February 14th is known as Valentine’s Day, or Red Day. It is the day when girls profess their feelings to boys. March 14th is White Day. It is the day when boys profess their feelings to girls. April 14th is Black Day (I believe). It is the day when boys and girls who didn’t profess feelings for anyone or have feelings professed for them go to designated cafes. And hope to meet someone. May 14th is Yellow Day (I think – I may have the colors confused). It is the day for those who went to cafes on Black Day but didn’t meet anyone to go to another cafe, but just to meet a potential friend. So this whole business of sharing your most intimate feelings for a special someone is taken to a whole new level.

For the past two or three weeks, the stores have been filled with Valentine’s Day stuff. Stuff. Frilly baskets. Candies. Fake flowers. With tears on them. Let me go back to the frilly baskets. Like nothing you have ever seen before. Big, honking baskets covered in yards and yards and yards of tulle and ribbon. And small fake flowers. To be filled with stuffed animals, candies, drinks, etc. But I’m thinking to myself, “This is the day for girls to profess to boys, and give them gifts. Why all the frou-frou stuff?” But sure enough, I was downtown on Valentine’s Day and there were couples galore. Boys proudly carrying these baskets that look like a ballerina’s tutu, overflowing with cute Sanrio stuffed animals, flowers, and candies. Really. I can’t wait to see what’s available for March 14th.

A Student’s Perspective

One of my high school girls wrote this about Valentine’s Day . . .

The Valentine Day

Every month has the 14th but February 14th is so special day. Because it is the day that girls confess to boys who they like or they associate with and give them a chocolate. Of course, boys can give girls, but most people think Valentine Day is the proposal of girls. I went to store in the city with friend to buy chocolate. There were many people, so the store or street were very crowded. We could see many couple. I got some chocolate and my friend too. I palpitated all day without reason. Maybe, I think I am a girl. Anyway, I was so tired. (sign for pi -pi)

Now that I think about it, there are days when I palpitate all day without reason . . . Just never thought of it in that manner before . . .