V.D.
Those are the initials. Think about that for a second.
Then think about that whole massacre thing involving the mafia and the Irish mob.
Just in case you didn't know... Valentine's Day is actually the shortened form of Saint Valentine's Day.
February 14 is supposed to be a day when love between people is celebrated... unlike the rest of the year.
Here's what we know and don't know about the origins of this bloody event.
Valentine (or Valentinus as he was probably known) was a dude who was buried near Rome on February 14. What we know about his life is that (rumour has it) Valentinus was an early Christian martyr who died in some year before 500AD. (That's all we know - really). For being a martyr, Pope Gelasius I established a day (for this sainted individual) in 500AD (which is why I knew he died sometime before that year).
Anyhow... for all you non-Christians who celebrate Valentine's Day, did you know you are actually participating in the faith of another religion? For shame. Ha!
In Japan, where 99.9 percent of the population is Buddhist, only roughly 50 per cent of the population celebrates the Christian tradition of Valentine's day.
That would be the women.
Seriously.
On February 14, women all over Japan give out a Valentine's Day present to that certain someone they like. Every year, I got close to 20 Valentines. More importantly, I got phone numbers and an invitation to call. Plus chocolates!
So what about the men of Japan? How come they don't have to sweat it out trying to get that perfect present for their woman (or significant other) - all the while knowing that no matter what they get, they will fail miserably?
In Japan, women give out Valentine's to men on the 14th of February. In an effort to spare the men who may not want to be embarrassed by giving a Valentine to a woman who does not want one from you - well, they don't have to give one until March 14... some made-up Japanese holiday called White Day.
In Japan it's perfectly okay for a women to lay her love for man out in the open on February 14, but not okay for a man to do the same. They get to safely figure out who gave them a present and one month later get to act accordingly.
Did you know that Japan had a sexist society? If you have read any of my blogs, I think you could have safely guessed that.
As a guy, I have to admit, it's kind of handy to know who likes you, so that your love is not unrequited or that you don't waste your time chasing after someone who doesn't like you. That is a sexist comment, I admit. But I am a guy, after all.
I can't wait for Easter and the search for Easter eggs.
Somewhere wondering how I'm going to afford 20 White Day presents next month,
Andrew Joseph
PS: I was usually alone every Valentine's day while in Japan... not that there's anything wrong with that, because at least knew I had White Day to look forward to. That's when I could make my move.
PPS: Make my move... how self-delusional I have become.
PPPS: And, 20 years later, not much has changed.
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