Most Americans spend their Valentine’s day with a significant other, maybe watching a romantic movie, sharing a nice dinner, or otherwise showering each other in gifts like heart-shaped chocolate or those little stuffed bears. Those who are single on Valentine’s day most likely will be complaining about said relationship status. But what about the significance of February 14th in other countries? Let’s take a look across the Atlantic to see what our global neighbors are up to on Valentine’s day.
In South Korea and Japan, on February 14th, women typically give their prospective suitors gifts. These gifts are usually chocolate or sweets, and almost always handmade, as store bought desserts feel too impersonal. Then, one month later on March 14th, the men return the favor by giving gifts to their sweethearts. This is known as White Day. Finally, for those who did not give nor receive any gifts comes April the 14th. The single people gather on this day to eat a dish called jajangmyeon. The day is often called black day because the jajangmyeon is made of white noodles with black bean sauce.
The French also partake in interesting traditions on Valentine’s Day. If you are young and single in France on February 14th, you would join other young singles for the evening. In a sort of twisted night of matchmaking, the singles pair off in attempt to spread the love around. If the men don’t feel a connection to their pair, they can reject her or pass her off on one of their clueless friends. Meanwhile, the rejected women gather for a bonfire. And during this bonfire, according to Marissa William on Travelblog.com, “Women burned pictures of the men who wronged them and hurled swears and insults at the opposite sex. The event became so uncontrollable that the French government eventually banned the tradition all together.”
And finally, England recognizes a figure similar to Santa Claus who is fabled to visit annually on Valentine’s Day. Named Jack Valentine, he delivers sweets and presents to children by leaving them outside their doors. No one is certain of when this custom began, although most scholars say it has origins around the 1920s. Depending on where you are in England, Jack could be called Old Father Valentine, Old Mother Valentine, or Snatch Valentine. Snatch Valentine is a particularly mischievous soul, placing presents on the steps of children’s houses. Then, when they come to claim them, he snatches them away. Then the present is put back on the step, and the process is repeated several times. After Snatch is done tormenting the child, they chasten the child to be good for the year, before handing over a present.
We Americans may be able to borrow from these fun traditions and invigorate Valentine’s Day festivities in our own country– but for a traditionally American holiday, get ready to write that love letter, pick out a beautiful bouquet, eat some chocolate, cuddle that stuffed bear, and celebrate Valentine’s Day this Sunday, February 14th.
