About Valentine's Day (バレンタインデイについて)
Feb 14th 2010 00:58
Valentine's
Day
バレンタイン
Roomy
February 14th is Valentine's Day in many countries including Japan. Store shelves have been flooded with Valentine's goods for some time in my town.
二月十四日は、日本を含む多くの国でバレンタインデイです。わたしの町では、ずっと前からお店の棚がバレンタイン商品で溢れています。
In Japan, Valentine's Day has started its history only several decades before and is still perceived as one of commercialized events for the young generations.
日本ではバレンタインデイの歴史は数十年くらいしかなく、今でも若者向きの商業化されたイベントの一つとしか考えられていません。
The word "Valentine" is used here to mean neither a gift card nor an alternative name for someone's lover, but just the name of the day when women give chocolates to their favorite men.
こちらでは「バレンタイン」という言葉をギフトカードや恋人の名前の代わりとして使うことはなく、女性が好きな男性にチョコレートをあげる日の意味しかありません。
Unlike in other countries, the opportunity of confessing love isn't given to men in this event, and in most cases, fancy chocolates as gifts are the means of confession made by women.
ほかの国と違って、このイベントで愛を告白する機会は男性には無く、またほとんどの場合、おしゃれなチョコをプレゼントすることが女性の告白手段となっています。
I think this is somewhat strange. In general, men aren't very delighted with chocolates, because they don't like sweets so much as women do.
これはちょっと変だと思います。一般に男性は女性ほど甘いものが好きではないので、チョコをあげてもあまり喜んでくれません。
Just a month later, in return for the chocolates, men are expected to give usually more expensive presents such as cookies, marshmallows, accessories or occasionally even undergarments ( ! ) to the women.
ちょうど一か月後に、チョコのお返しとして男性はたいていもっと高価なプレゼントを女性に渡すことになっています。たとえばクッキーやマシュマロ、アクセサリー、さらには下着（！）なんてことも。
This day, March 14th, is called "White Day," maybe because it was formerly believed that white candies were appropriate as an acknowledgment for the Valentine's gifts.
この日、三月十四日はかつて白いキャンディーがバレンタインのお返しにふさわしいと考えられたことから「ホワイトデイ」と呼ばれているみたいです。
Even so, I feel pity for guys who haven't received a chocolate from someone in mind, though they're going to spend a lot of money on White Day's presents.
それでも意中の人からチョコをもらえない男の人は、ホワイトデイのプレゼントにたくさんお金を使うことになるとしても、かわいそうだと思います。
The problem might be that on Valentine's Day, women sometimes feel obliged to give "giri-choko," which means low-ranked chocolates out of courtesy, to their male co-workers and bosses.
問題は、バレンタインに女性がよく同僚や上司に「義理チョコ」というランクの落ちる儀礼的なチョコをあげなければならないと感じていることでしょう。
It should cause not only women's grumbling that they have to care about selecting a lot of giri-choko, but also the frustrations of men who receive no chocolate.
女性はたくさんの義理チョコを選ぶことに気を使うのが不満だし、そればかりかチョコをもらえない男性もがっかりすることになるはずです。
There's even controversy that Valentine's Day in Japan is focused on chocolates or other gifts of that kind rather than on declaring love, and it is said to be the intrigue of confectionery companies.
日本のバレンタインデイは愛を伝えるよりもチョコなどのプレゼントに重点が置かれていて、お菓子会社の陰謀だという議論さえあります。
A friend of mine says that she envies girls in other countries for receiving Valentine's gifts, but I don't necessarily feel the same way as she does.
外国では女の子がバレンタインのプレゼントをもらえてうらやましい、と友達は言うけど、わたしは必ずしもそうは思いません。
Traditionally in love, females tend to expect males' lead, but I think females should have a chance to make the first move as on Valentine's Day.
昔から恋愛では、女性は男性のリードを期待する傾向がありますが、バレンタインのように女性から先に何かをするチャンスがあってもいいと思うのです。
Recently, Lang-8 highlighted the survey results on the first date of men and women in Japan that 73% of Japanese men said they would pay for the date.
最近ランゲートは、日本人男性の73パーセントがデータ代を払うという、日本の男女の初デートについての調査結果を取り上げました。
If my boyfriend took care of the lunch check, I would like to accept it with gratitude, but I don't agree that men should always pay for the date.
もし彼氏がお勘定を払ってくれるなら、ありがたく受け入れたいと思いますが、男性がいつもデートで払うのが当然と言う考えには賛成しません。
If he were poorer than I (which should be unlikely though), I would slip him my money and let him pay check.
もし彼がわたしより貧乏なら（ありそうもないことですが）、彼にこっそりお金を渡してお勘定を払ってもらうでしょう。
Thank you for reading. Have a nice Valentine's Day! :)
二月十四日は、日本を含む多くの国でバレンタインデイです。わたしの町では、ずっと前からお店の棚がバレンタイン商品で溢れています。
In Japan, Valentine's Day has started its history only several decades before and is still perceived as one of commercialized events for the young generations.
日本ではバレンタインデイの歴史は数十年くらいしかなく、今でも若者向きの商業化されたイベントの一つとしか考えられていません。
The word "Valentine" is used here to mean neither a gift card nor an alternative name for someone's lover, but just the name of the day when women give chocolates to their favorite men.
こちらでは「バレンタイン」という言葉をギフトカードや恋人の名前の代わりとして使うことはなく、女性が好きな男性にチョコレートをあげる日の意味しかありません。
Unlike in other countries, the opportunity of confessing love isn't given to men in this event, and in most cases, fancy chocolates as gifts are the means of confession made by women.
ほかの国と違って、このイベントで愛を告白する機会は男性には無く、またほとんどの場合、おしゃれなチョコをプレゼントすることが女性の告白手段となっています。
I think this is somewhat strange. In general, men aren't very delighted with chocolates, because they don't like sweets so much as women do.
これはちょっと変だと思います。一般に男性は女性ほど甘いものが好きではないので、チョコをあげてもあまり喜んでくれません。
Just a month later, in return for the chocolates, men are expected to give usually more expensive presents such as cookies, marshmallows, accessories or occasionally even undergarments ( ! ) to the women.
ちょうど一か月後に、チョコのお返しとして男性はたいていもっと高価なプレゼントを女性に渡すことになっています。たとえばクッキーやマシュマロ、アクセサリー、さらには下着（！）なんてことも。
This day, March 14th, is called "White Day," maybe because it was formerly believed that white candies were appropriate as an acknowledgment for the Valentine's gifts.
この日、三月十四日はかつて白いキャンディーがバレンタインのお返しにふさわしいと考えられたことから「ホワイトデイ」と呼ばれているみたいです。
Even so, I feel pity for guys who haven't received a chocolate from someone in mind, though they're going to spend a lot of money on White Day's presents.
それでも意中の人からチョコをもらえない男の人は、ホワイトデイのプレゼントにたくさんお金を使うことになるとしても、かわいそうだと思います。
The problem might be that on Valentine's Day, women sometimes feel obliged to give "giri-choko," which means low-ranked chocolates out of courtesy, to their male co-workers and bosses.
問題は、バレンタインに女性がよく同僚や上司に「義理チョコ」というランクの落ちる儀礼的なチョコをあげなければならないと感じていることでしょう。
It should cause not only women's grumbling that they have to care about selecting a lot of giri-choko, but also the frustrations of men who receive no chocolate.
女性はたくさんの義理チョコを選ぶことに気を使うのが不満だし、そればかりかチョコをもらえない男性もがっかりすることになるはずです。
There's even controversy that Valentine's Day in Japan is focused on chocolates or other gifts of that kind rather than on declaring love, and it is said to be the intrigue of confectionery companies.
日本のバレンタインデイは愛を伝えるよりもチョコなどのプレゼントに重点が置かれていて、お菓子会社の陰謀だという議論さえあります。
A friend of mine says that she envies girls in other countries for receiving Valentine's gifts, but I don't necessarily feel the same way as she does.
外国では女の子がバレンタインのプレゼントをもらえてうらやましい、と友達は言うけど、わたしは必ずしもそうは思いません。
Traditionally in love, females tend to expect males' lead, but I think females should have a chance to make the first move as on Valentine's Day.
昔から恋愛では、女性は男性のリードを期待する傾向がありますが、バレンタインのように女性から先に何かをするチャンスがあってもいいと思うのです。
Recently, Lang-8 highlighted the survey results on the first date of men and women in Japan that 73% of Japanese men said they would pay for the date.
最近ランゲートは、日本人男性の73パーセントがデータ代を払うという、日本の男女の初デートについての調査結果を取り上げました。
If my boyfriend took care of the lunch check, I would like to accept it with gratitude, but I don't agree that men should always pay for the date.
もし彼氏がお勘定を払ってくれるなら、ありがたく受け入れたいと思いますが、男性がいつもデートで払うのが当然と言う考えには賛成しません。
If he were poorer than I (which should be unlikely though), I would slip him my money and let him pay check.
もし彼がわたしより貧乏なら（ありそうもないことですが）、彼にこっそりお金を渡してお勘定を払ってもらうでしょう。
Thank you for reading. Have a nice Valentine's Day! :)
- 225
- 29
- 7
Journals Statistics
| Total | 35 entries |
|---|---|
| This Month | 0 entries |
| This week | 0 enrties |
Latest entry
| Ten Principles for My Journal Entries (237) |
| Roomy's One-Year Anniversary (Roomy の１周年記念日) (260) |
| Passive Voice in English and Japanese (134) |
| Language and Woman (2) (91) |
| Language and Woman (1) (145) |
Latest comments
| Feb 23rd จั๊ก - ジャック -Juk -雅克 |
| Feb 19th Treehugger |
| Nov 18th Arwyn |
| Nov 12th がいか |
| Nov 02nd Syringa Vulgaris |
Entries by Month
| 2011 |
|---|
| - February (1) |
| 2010 |
| - November (1) |
| - October (1) |
| - September (2) |
| - June (3) |
| - May (2) |
| - April (2) |
| - March (3) |
| - February (3) |
| - January (3) |
| 2009 |
| - December (5) |
| - November (9) |
Happy Taiwanese Year & Valentine's Day!
In Japan, Valentine's Day appeared for the first time only (or: about) few decades ago and it's still perceived as one of the many commercialized events for the young generation(s). (It's contradictory to use "only" and "several" together...^^;;)
Here (= in Japan) the word "Valentine"doesn't mean agift card norit's a petname for someone's lover, butit's the day when women give chocolates to their partner. ( to their favorite "men"... the word "men" implies that there are many XD Is it Roomy's case? :D As for the word partner... I was thinking about レズ^^ )
See what I mean? :D Ok let me redeem myself with one last post :)
あ、ごめんなさい。変なこと言っちゃった。
I'm sorry there's nothing new to you in my entry.
I wanted to write here was what I thought about Valentine's Day and how I should be in the date with my boyfriend.
Thank you for your comment! :)
Barin,
If there were White Day in your country and you'd received a Valentine's gift from your partner, you would surely have a very nice day with her.
Thank you for your comment! :)
010 san,
台湾では新年とバレンタインが一緒になるんですね。
なんだか、得したような損したような複雑な気分になりますね ＾＾；
コメントありがとうございます！
richards elliot,
If I wrote "women give chocolates to their favorite MAN," it should mean they have a boyfriend in common,
Anyway, I'm going to give chocolates to my boyfriend and to my father, because they're both my favorite men. XD
Thank you for your correction and your comment!
Dimitris_KCY,
日本にもバレンタイン嫌いって人、いますよ。
「この国に僕の気持ちを表しちゃう ダメだ...」って？ Do you mean that Japan should not express your feeling???
Thank you for your comment! :)
In Japan, Valentine's Day started only several decades ago and is still perceived as one of the most commercialized events for the younger generations.
The word, "Valentine" is used here to mean neither a gift card nor an alternative name for someone's lover, but just the name of the day when women give chocolates to their favorite men.
In general, men aren't very delighted with chocolates, because they don't like sweets as much as women do.
Just a month later, in return for the chocolates, men are expected to give more expensive presents such as cookies, marshmallows, accessories, or occasionally even undergarments to women!
) to the women.
The problem might be that on Valentine's Day, women sometimes feel obliged to give "giri-choco," which literally means obligation chocolates out of courtesy, to their male co-workers and bosses.
Traditionally, women in love tend to expect man's lead, but I think women should have a chance to make the first move as on Valentine's Day.
Recently, Lang-8 highlighted the survey results on the first date of men and women in Japan. The results showed that 73% of Japanese men said they would pay for the date.
I think the way these days are structured in Japan is a great way for men to find out how the women in their lives view them and vise versa a month later. I'm talking about single men and women of course. It seems Japanese men are more passive than Japanese women, and are more reluctant to ask them out especially if the woman is very attractive. I know that is a blanket statement and doesn't include all Japanese men, but this seems to be a re-occurring theme that I have heard from numerous Japanese women.
Anyway, I think it is a good way for women to initiate what could lead to a good relationship (especially if the guy is shy). And, don't be fooled that men don't like chocolate. Men will eat the chocolate no matter what kind of feelings come from the woman. A man who receives honmei choco will be very pleased even if he doesn't show it. Or at least is a fool to not be pleased that a woman cares about him...
Happy Valentine's Day!
Thank you for your corrections!
Well, I got kind of confused now about how "male" and "female" should be distinguished from "man" and "woman". Previously I believed that "man" and "woman" in their broader sense could include "boy" and "girl" respectively, but recently I was told by someone that this was wrong. What is the English word, for example, which includes (grown-up) woman and (young) girl?
Apropos, if men received a Valentine's chocolate, they would pretend to appreciate it so much, but actually they would stick it into their pockets and later eat only a bit of it. But of course, I know this doesn't mean he doesn't like the woman who has given it.
"What is the English word, for example, which includes (grown-up) woman and (young) girl?"
If I understand your question correctly, the word that comes to mind immediately is the word, lady/ladies.
Since I didn't grow up in a society where obligation chocolate is a way of life if someone gave me giri choco or honmei choco I would be appreciative of the gift and gesture. Especially honmei chocolate.
Thank you for answering my question.
So, "male" and "female" can be used regardless of age, right? I suppose they're more like "男性" and "女性" in Japanese except that they sound a little strange when used to refer to individuals, like "I saw a handsome male yesterday," while it's not unusual for us to say "昨日ハンサムな男性に会いました."
I wonder if "ladies" could refer to female children though.
I think "義理チョコ" is characteristic of Japanese society for better and worse, because "義理" or "お付き合い" is a key to understanding the gift-giving culture in Japan, as they are represented by "お中元" and "お歳暮."
We're living in such a society.
でも、私とたっちゃん（1歳の息子）、さっきデニーズでチョコパンケーキ食べたから、もう、チョコに飽きちゃった・・・。ま、いっか☆
男の人、たくさんチョコもらっちゃったらお返しが大変ですね・・・☆
お返しには同レベル以上じゃないと、評価が下がりそうだし。。。
日本語だけ読んじゃいました。英語は今度・・・。
ゆーこりんさん、いらっしゃい！＾＾
そうなんだー。もしかして、ゆーこりんさんの彼氏って息子さん？
そうそう、男性陣は義理チョコのお返しって面倒だ～って言ってるよ（笑）
たしかに三倍返しとか・・・大変そう >_<
全然お返ししない人もいるけどね。
たっちゃんにヨロシク～☆
いいえ、違います。「この国」=僕の国、キプロスです。In Cyprus, it's a no-go to express *my* feelings, like other boys in Cyprus can. It's a complicated and sad story.
っていうと、キプロスでは自分の気持を表現しちゃダメってこと？
お気の毒～！>_<
So, you mean you aren't permitted to express your feelings in Cyprus?
I'm so sorry! X(
The word "Valentine" is neither used to mean a gift card nor an alternative name for someone's lover but just the name of the day when women give chocolates to their favorite men.
Then, (I'm using this as a transition because the change between the previous paragraph and this paragraph was too abrupt) exactly a month later, in return for the chocolates, men are expected to give usually more expensive presents such as cookies, marshmallows, accessories or occasionally even undergarments ( !
Even so, I feel pity for guys who haven't received chocolate from someone in mind but still have to spend a lot of money on White Day's presents.
It not only causes a woman to grumble about having to carefully choose a lot of giri-choko, but also disappoints the men who receive no chocolate.
If he were poorer than I (which should be unlikely though), I would slip him my money and let him pay the check.
Valentine's Day is such a serious matter over in Japan! My Japanese friend told me that she'd stay up late at night during high school baking cookies for Valentine's day. I don't think the girls here (or even the guys) go through that much effort LOL.
As for paying on the first date... Whoever wants to pay should pay though I don't think the girl should go without money expecting the guy to pay for everything. Personally, I think it should be half-half, each paying for his/her share. ^^;;
One of my friends says that she envies girls in other countries for receiving Valentine's gifts, but I don't quite agree with her.
Thank you for your corrections and advices :)
As you pointed out, I was aware of the fact that some sentences of this entry were lacking in smooth transition between them, but since I wasn't quite unfamiliar with stylistic techniques, I left them as they were. I appreciate your suggestion so much!
After reading over this entry, I realized that my sentences were really full of passive constructions (especially in its first half)! I thought English uses passive syntax pretty much compared to Japanese (Japanese is a language which is basically very poor in passive syntax). I'm thankful to you for pointing out my misunderstanding.
Japanese people are often said to be perfectionists. That's certainly the case with Valentine's Day. While "obligation chocolate" was very popular among us, we thought we must follow the custom. But things have changed these days.
I'm glad to know that this could be informative to you.
In Japan, it's not yet ordinary for women to make the first move in love, because they often expect men to say "I love you" first. Valentine's Day in the Japanese style might give shy women (like me) a chance to tell the person in mind how they feel. Of course, all the women are always so shy nowadays.
I think the modesty of woman just as you are is so precious that I would like to be.
Thank you so much for your comment :)
Thank you for your correction :)
"I don't quite agree with her" was exactly what I intended to write at first, ha-ha! :D
I didn't know that New Year and Valentine's Day are celebrated at the same time in China this year.
Thank you for the detailed explanation :)
I was taught that a lunar calendar of that kind was widely used here in the past (well, haven't we had this topic before?) I read in a lot of journal entries that they brought in the Chinese New Year in China and Taiwan right now and I had to say a happy new year to them. :)
I wrote above "Of course, all the women are always so shy nowadays," but this was wrong. I meant "Of course, all the women are not always so shy nowadays".
I'm sorry for this! >_<
"So, "male" and "female" can be used regardless of age, right?"
はい、正しいです。
"I suppose they're more like "男性" and "女性" in Japanese except that they sound a little strange when used to refer to individuals, like "I saw a handsome male yesterday," while it's not unusual for us to say "昨日ハンサムな男性に会いました.""
Yeah, that would be slightly strange to say in English, but the listener would understand what you mean.
"I wonder if "ladies" could refer to female children though."
Yes, you could use ladies in certain circumstances. However, for young female children we say, "young ladies."
When talking to a group of young girls you could say, "ladies" to get their attention. This is really only common for a girls sports team, and I guess this would also apply to an all girls school, too.
You could call me with either "ちゃん" or "さん," but I think the former would be better to use as for me, because I'm not mature enough to feel offended at being addressed with "ちゃん." ＾＾；
When it comes to male and female, I'm slightly reluctant to use them for referring to individuals, because they sound like talking about animals ("雄" and "雌"). In such case, I'd express them such as "a male (or female) person."
Japanese has the loan word "レディ" (which sounds like "ready") from the English word "lady." It is a polite expression of "woman" and sounds kind of prudish, as in: "Knock at the door when you enter a lady's room!" :)
I never thought about it that way, but yeah, you make a good point now that I do stop to think about it. In general, you can never go wrong using man or woman.
In Japan, the history of Valentine's Day started only several decades ago and is still perceived as a commercialized event for the young generation(s).Note:1) Use the simple past tense for an action completed at an earlier time instead of the present perfect tense.2) In writing, it is sometimes best to place only just before the word or phrase it modifies. This is especially important if different placements could lead to different interpretations.Ex:I only play with the bear. (I didn't feed it.)I play only with the bear. (I didn't play with any other animals.)I don't find your use of onlyand severaltogether in the same sentence to be contradictory.
Thank you for your correction and useful advice. I appreciate it.
Unlike in other countries, the opportunity of confessing love isn't given to men in this event. Rather, oftentimes fancy chocolates as gifts are the means by which women confess their love.Note: 1) For clarity, it might be better to write this in 2 sentences; 2) you can also write "oftentimes" in lieu of "in most cases" here to pare down your sentence.
This day, March 14th, is called "White Day" perhaps because it was formerly believed that white candies are appropriate as an acknowledgment for the Valentine gifts received.
This not only causes women to grumble about having to carefully select a lot of giri-choko, but also frustrates men who receive no chocolate.Note: 1) try to keep your sentences here parallel to each other in structure; 2) use the pronoun "that" or "this" to indicate a remark or idea mentioned before.
There's even controversy that Valentine's Day in Japan is more about chocolates and other such gifts rather than on love and its confession. Such is said to be the intrigue of (Japanese?) confectionery companies.
Traditionally in romance, women tend to expect the men to take initiative, but I think women should have a chance to make the first move just as in Valentine's Day in Japan.Note: in case you were wondering, the first edit changed "females" to "women" probably because female denotes the sex of a person bearing two X chromosomes, while woman is increasingly taken to define the gender of a person.
If my boyfriend took care of the lunch check, I would accept it with gratitude, but I don't agree that men should always pay for the date.
If he was poorer than I (which should be unlikely though), I would slip him my money and let him pay the check.
I wish you get a good partner. :)
最近ランゲートは、日本人男性の73パーセントがデート代を払うという、日本の男女の初デートについての調査結果を取り上げました。