国产热热热精品,亚洲视频久久】日韩,三级婷婷在线久久,99人妻精品视频,精品九热人人肉肉在线,AV东京热一区二区,91po在线视频观看,久久激情宗合,青青草黄色手机视频

  Home>News Center>Life
         
 

Japanese girls say 'Be my Valentine'
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-02-17 09:52

February 14th is the day that roses sell out all over the world, but in Japan it's chocolates that are the gift of choice.

And if you're a guy in Japan there's no need to bother looking for something sweet for that special someone. There, the girls do the buying.

Ladies swarm department stores to buy Valentine's chocolates not just for boyfriends and husbands, but for bosses, clients and colleagues.

So-called "obligation chocolates" cost upwards of 10 dollars, but singling out a particular man costs a little extra.

"Before I got married," says Toshie Nakamura, "I put so much effort into Valentine's Day, like baking a chocolate cake. But now, it's more like a tradition I feel obligated to do."

It was back in 1958 that a chocolate company head was looking for a way to use the day to boost sales.

"I came up with the idea that women could confess their feelings to men once a year on Valentine's Day," says Mary's Chocolate Company President Kunio Hara.

"It's not a nice thing to say, but Japanese society was strongly male-dominated. It was quite rare for women to confess their love to men.

"That's changed now," he says.

Valentine's Day didn't really catch on in Japan until Morinaga, the country's biggest chocolate maker, put the full weight of its advertising machinery behind it. Then suddenly a tradition was born.

Shoppers like Yayoi Murase are surprised to find out that it's only a Japanese custom to give chocolates to men.

"I like the idea of Valentine's Day because I don't usually have a chance to express my feelings," she says.

Women get their due on March 12th -- which is also known as White Day -- when men reciprocate with gifts of white candies.

Another holiday created by, you guessed it, candy companies.

Chocolate companies say things are changing. Women are still buying chocolates, but more often for themselves.

"Obligation Chocolates" are being replaced by "Valentine for Me" gifts. Which just goes to show you can have your chocolate, and eat it too.

 
  Today's Top News     Top Life News
 

Zoellick: US can't close door to Chinese goods

 

   
 

US, N. Korea bilateral contact lasts one hour

 

   
 

Capital, Hebei in row over river water use

 

   
 

Referendum provokes rise in tension

 

   
 

Import of two Isuzu autos suspended

 

   
 

Farmers to get direct subsidies from the state

 

   
  From hutong to who's who
   
  China's transsexual eyes Miss World crown
   
  Does Lee Ao's daughter complain too much?
   
  Chinese students' sexual evolution
   
  When literature falls across Internet
   
  Michael Jackson and ex-wife hired retired judge
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Feature  
  Chang Hsiao-yen  
Advertisement
         
    1. 长治市| 石河子市| 龙江县| 嘉鱼县| 淅川县| 栖霞市| 宣城市| 临汾市| 高碑店市| 孟连| 晴隆县| 安丘市| 广灵县| 琼海市| 蒙城县| 体育| 越西县| 项城市| 太仓市| 霍城县| 开阳县| 崇义县| 出国| 越西县| 姜堰市| 固原市| 如东县| 阿瓦提县| 南丹县| 沈阳市| 织金县| 洮南市| 曲松县| 张家口市| 都江堰市| 舟山市| 定边县| 进贤县| 且末县| 沁源县| 英德市|