Valentine's Day in Japan
Unlike the rest of the world, the Japanese version of Valentine, believes that the women should spoil the men for a change. Chocolates are gifted to men by women while expecting the return of gesture later in the year by the respective men. “Chocolate makes everyone smile – even bankers.” Seems the Japanese took Benneville Strohecker way too seriously on this one.
Valentine's Day in Korea
According to the South Korean concept, Valentine's Day happens to be one of the 12 love days falling on 14th of each month. On this day, women offer gifts to the men and the men return the favour on a “white day” a month later. If the gift isn’t returned then, singles celebrate the day by eating black noodles, a dish that mourns and celebrates single life. When it comes to love, there is no space grey, huh?
Valentine's Day in Scandinavia
Usually Scandinavia’s perception is that of ‘jantelag’ but it is time to break the clutter and perceive them in the exactly opposite light – warm and positive! On the Valentine's Day, men send anonymous poems to women. For the simple reason of non-disclosure, the notes are signed with 1 dot for each letter in the man’s name. If the woman guesses the name correctly she is rewarded with an egg on Easter. And if she guesses wrong she owes him an egg on Easter.
Valentine's Day in China
As the bible quotes, “And now these three remain, faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is Love.” On the Valentines Day, with immense faith in the matchmaker statue, the Chinese Love seekers visit the statue in a temple with a hope to find love. A closer look and we could find the ‘magic wand’ in the statue’s hand. Won’t we?
Valentine's Day in Slovenia
On this day, the Slovenians walk through the field barefoot, even if its frozen. Their celebration of love comes later in the year with a holiday. Talk about dedication to Cupid and the Slovenians will win it all the way!
Valentine's Day in Estonia
Someone rightly said, “Love is not only made for lovers, it is also for friends who love each other better than friends.” In Estonia, Valentine's is all about friends. Instead of gifting your partners, you celebrate friendship. Now how beautiful is that!
Valentine's Day in Germany
While the whole world condemns the species of pigs, Ronald Reagan associated the same with ‘pride, integrity and guts.’ Guess for the same reasons the Germans celebrate Valentines Day by “pigging out.” Mind you, it is a different kind of “pigging out,” and not gorging away to glory. In this case, statues of pigs are combined with flowers and traditional gifts as a sign of luck. Schwein für die Liebe?
Valentine's Day in Brazil
The Brazilians seem to be a great believer of luck or fate and if you seem to belong to the same school of thought then celebrate Valentine's Day like them. Names of the people whom you like are placed in to a hat and then you randomly select one, if you are lucky enough, it could be the person you end up marrying. And we are left to wonder if Hogwarts has a hat for this?