If you are a Canadian man who dreads the rituals of Valentines Day you might want to consider spending a romantic holiday in Japan. The culture change might be enlightening.
I was shopping for cinnamon hearts the other day when I heard some interesting news. In Japan you can buy Valentine’s Day insurance.
It sounded like a great idea. Canadians are the most insured people in the world. Why not protect ourselves against a broken heart?
The Japanese first imported Valentine’s Day in 1936 but something was lost in translation.
In that country the women give gifts to the men, usually chocolates. Some say this tradition was encouraged by the candy makers.
Coincidentally, chocolate manufacturers in Japan make half their annual sales the week before Valentines Day.
For many Japanese men it is a matter of honour to receive a large number of chocolates from many interesting women.
In reality however, there are chocolates and then there are “chocolates.”
Japanese women give Valentines for many different reasons. Sometimes they are given through obligation to a boss or a colleague.
These are called Gin Choco. We might call them pity chocolates.
Chocolates are also given as gifts (Tomo Choco) to female co-workers and acquaintances.
Romantically speaking, neither of these options sounds too promising for the dudes.
But if there is a romantic interest he will receive a special Valentine box of chocolates, Honmei Choco. It may even be combined with another romantic gift such as a necktie.
Some popular men get a lot of chocolate and the bragging rights that go with them. Others receive very few chocolates or none at all.
That’s where the insurance comes in.
Even the most unpopular can arrange to have chocolates delivered to themselves at the office or at home or anywhere else where their friends and colleagues might be impressed.
Each box of chocolates comes with a card signed by an imaginary Japanese hottie.
Those clever Japanese. Valentines Day is very difficult for the romantically disadvantaged.
They came up with a way to save face and still walk away with a nice box of chocolates.
But before you book your flight to Tokyo you should be aware of White Day, which is exactly one month later on March 14.
This is payback time for all the chocolate.
White Day in Japan is when the men buy gifts for the women in appreciation for Valentine’s Day. The manufacturers suggest chocolate again but the most popular gifts are necklaces, rings and handkerchiefs.
Of course things are a little different in our country.
Romeos from coast to coast were a little twitchy last week as they prepared for the most romantic day of the year.
It’s tough being a Canadian man on Valentine’s Day especially if you are romantically entangled in some way. The ladies have high expectations this time of year and they are looking for something special.
Canadian men have the best of intentions but they are romantically challenged. They usually need prompting and coaxing to do the right thing.
That’s why two Ottawa entrepreneurs came up with Relationship Insurance.
Forgetful men can pre-arrange a personalized romantic gesture including flowers, chocolate and balloons and have it delivered on that special day.
For lasting romantic effect some men have it sent to their Valentine’s workplace.
For the next two weeks her co-workers will remind her how lucky she is.
There is no White Day in Canada because Canadian men believe that romance is its own reward and all they need is a smile on the face of their special someone.
Isn’t that right guys?
