Valentine's Day in other countries

• Valentine's Day in other countries

Traditionally, the celebration of Valentine's Day as we know it in our country involves the exchange of gifts, flowers, and chocolates between romantic partners, and it's a special date for a romantic outing. But how is Valentine's Day celebrated in other countries?

Japan

In Japan, it is women who give chocolates to men, and depending on the type of chocolate, the meaning of the gift will vary.

Tomo-Choko (Friendship Chocolate): This chocolate is given to female friends as a symbol of their friendship. This variant is relatively new.

Honmei-Choko (True Feelings Chocolate): This sweet chocolate is reserved for boyfriends, lovers, or husbands as a token of love and affection. These chocolates are usually handmade at home, shaped like the loved one's face, and the recipient is considered very fortunate.

South Korea

Similar to the Japanese tradition, women give chocolates to their men on Valentine's Day, and in return, men shower them with gifts a month later, on White Day. However, in Korea, they take it a step further, and a month after White Day, they invented Black Day.

On April 14th, singles who didn't receive any gifts gather at a restaurant to eat 'jajangmyeon', a dish of white Korean noodles with black bean sauce, celebrating their life without a partner.

Taiwan

Conversely to Japan, in Taiwan, men give chocolates and gifts to women on Valentine's Day, and they reciprocate a month later, on White Day, with more chocolates.

United States

Americans celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14th, just like us, and their tradition is to exchange cards - 'Be my Valentine' - with people they are interested in or simply want to show friendship to.

Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and roses are also part of lovers' gifts.

Finland and Estonia

In these countries, Valentine's Day is an ode to friendship, and they call it 'Sobrapäev' and 'Ystävän Päivä,' respectively. The tradition is to exchange cards and gifts among friends, although it is also a significant date for marriage proposals and weddings.

Denmark and Norway

The tradition that has been preserved over the years, after the introduction of Valentine's Day as it is now known, is to give 'Gaekkebrev': small poems with funny rhymes that men send anonymously to women, using as many dots as letters in their name for the sender. In this game, if the woman guesses the name, she wins an Easter egg, and if she loses, she owes him an egg.

Germany

Lovers in Germany exchange flowers and chocolates like in many countries, but there is a deeply rooted tradition that differentiates them: pigs. Giving a pig in the form of an image, miniature figure, or chocolate signifies good luck.