lifestyle

Japanese women share their best and worst gifts from boyfriends

25 Comments
By Casey Baseel

Japan has a few unique gift-giving traditions, like the mid-year "o-chugen" and end-of-year "oseibo" gifts exchanged between relatives and business associates. For the most part though, things work the same as in any other country. Parents give toys to their kids on their birthdays, who in turn give flowers and neckties for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. And of course, couples give presents to each other.

Also like in other countries, sometimes boyfriends in Japan don’t have a clue about what their girlfriends really want. Case in point: my wife says one of the best things I’ve given her is a thermos, which speaks volumes about either my gift-selecting savvy or her extremely forgiving nature.

Thankfully, for those guys who could use a little insight into the female psyche (approximately all of us), a recent survey asked 103 Japanese women about the presents from their boyfriends that brought tears to their eyes, whether for good or bad reasons.

Starting with the bad news, roughly a third of the respondents, who were primarily in their 20s and 30s, said they had received something which made them think, “Seriously? Why the heck would he give me this?”

“He gave me a frilly lace dress,” said one displeased 35-year-old woman. "But at my age, it’s embarrassing to wear that kind of thing, so I never have.”

Now that we think about it, it might be best to steer clear of clothing, seeing how individual fashion tastes can be hard to guess. How about going the opposite route, and giving something that’s an expression of your own passions instead, something creative and artistic?

“My boyfriend wrote a song about me,” starts one respondent. “He gave me a cassette with a recording of him singing it, but there was so much static and background noise that I couldn’t understand a word he was saying.”

Hmm… tough crowd. You know what? Maybe you’re better off not trying to shoot the moon with a romantic ballad, and instead just giving something low-key.

“He went to visit his parents in his hometown, and he brought me back a hand towel with the logo of the local pro baseball team,” lamented another woman. “It was so cheaply made and left so much lint that I gave up on trying to use it, and as for way it looked, the less said the better.”

The Japanese holiday White Day proved to be a particularly tricky minefield to navigate. In Japan, guys are the lucky ones who get gifts on Valentine’s Day, usually chocolate. However, they’re expected to give something, usually of much greater value, in return one month later on White Day, March 14.

“I gave a homemade cake to my boyfriend for Valentine’s Day, and when White Day rolled around, all he gave me was a cake that he baked,” grumbled one 32-year-old woman.

“For White Day one year I got an electric tooth brush, still in the plastic bag from the drugstore where he bought it, with the receipt included,” said another.

While we agree it wouldn’t have killed the guy to gift wrap it, we’d also like to give him the benefit of the doubt and believe that he was just worried she might need to return it. Besides, isn’t showing concern for your girlfriend’s physical health a noble gesture?

Not according to this 23-year-old-woman. “My boyfriend said, ‘I got you these since the weather is getting colder,’ and gave me a pair of wool panties.”

But this isn’t to say that all women have hearts of stone. On the contrary, 88% of the women surveyed remarked that they had been moved by simple, inexpensive gifts.

“My boyfriend gave me a keychain with a really cute character on it,” one 29-year-old told researchers. “He knows I really like the character, so he got it from a crane game at the arcade for me.” Given the diabolical difficulty of most crane games, we’re not exactly sure we can technically qualify this as “inexpensive” without knowing how many 100-yen coins he had to feed into the machine, but it’s a thoughtful gesture nonetheless.

In general in Japan, unless he’s spending the night, the guy doesn’t escort his date back to her place at the end of the night. Since this leaves the girl walking home alone, many young women in Japan carry a handheld alarm, in case they get accosted on their way home. “After we went out a few times, my boyfriend said he was worried about me, so he gave me one,” said one respondent.

And despite the previous gripe about getting a cake for White Day, food was a big hit. “I was feeling sick and went home from work early,” one women recalled. “When I got to my apartment, there was a plastic bag hanging from my doorknob, and inside was a cup of my favorite brand of pudding with a note from my boyfriend.”

We’re impressed, but can’t help but wonder how this guy managed to find out his girlfriend was clocking out early, go to the store and buy the pudding, write a note, and deliver it all to her apartment all before she got home from the office. Does making a girl happy require superpowers like telepathy and teleportation?

Nope. Actually, it doesn’t even require decent cooking skills, as explained by this woman.

“I was sick at home, so my boyfriend cooked rice porridge and brought it over,” she says, referring to the typical food eaten by Japanese people suffering from a cold or flu. “It tasted completely terrible, but I was so touched that he’d do that for me that I cried.”

As a matter of fact, multiple women said what they appreciated most was a letter of encouragement when they were feeling down, proving that once again, it really is the thought that counts.

Source: Zexy

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- 9 Ways to Have Fun Playing Video Games with Your Girlfriend -- 9 Phrases That Make Japanese Men Fall Head Over Heels -- Mother Accepts Delivery of 19-Year-Old Son’s Erotic Bed Sheets

© RocketNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


25 Comments
Login to comment

“I gave a homemade cake to my boyfriend for Valentine’s Day, and when White Day rolled around, all he gave me was a cake that he baked,” grumbled one 32-year-old woman.

Huh? Good enough for him but not you?

Some of these men come across as very sweet, IMO.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

After we went out a few times, my boyfriend said he was worried about me, so he gave me one, said one respondent.

A girlfriend once asked me for an example of a double entendre, so I gave her one".

He gave me a frilly lace dress, said one displeased 35-year-old woman. But at my age, its embarrassing to wear that kind of thing, so I never have.

That's just ungrateful, wear it indoors just to please him, you don't have to go out in it.

Thankfully, for those guys who could use a little insight into the female psyche (approximately all of us),

So true.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

"The Japanese holiday White Day proved to be a particularly tricky minefield to navigate. In Japan, guys are the lucky ones who get gifts on Valentine’s Day, usually chocolate. However, they’re expected to give something, usually of much greater value, in return one month later on White Day, March 14. 'I gave a homemade cake to my boyfriend for Valentine’s Day, and when White Day rolled around, all he gave me was a cake that he baked,' grumbled one 32-year-old woman."

People wondering why the marriage rate is dropping can begin here.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Re-cap Why ? & Answer ? Let's get started ! Man's POV

“He gave me a frilly lace dress,” said one displeased 35-year-old woman. “But at my age, it’s embarrassing to wear that kind of thing, so I never have.”

He likes you, in his mind you are sexy & you don't know it... He's trying to make the relationship interesting and spicy. If you don't like it. Go to Hawaii together and visit the VS store, or order something from Peachy John or a sexy lingerie store. The objective is shop together and try something new in an relationship. Shake things up, do something different and something this is unexpected. The most important thing - he loves you and thinks you are sexy. But at my age, it’s embarrassing to wear that kind of thing try it on !!! Who knows ???

“My boyfriend wrote a song about me,” starts one respondent. “He gave me a cassette with a recording of him singing it, but there was so much static and background noise that I couldn’t understand a word he was saying.” In some ways that's very romantic, it might not be professional but at least he tried. Why don't both you go to karaoke and sing together. I think you and him would be more happy. Go for it !!! Shidax it up.

“He went to visit his parents in his hometown, and he brought me back a hand towel with the logo of the local pro baseball team,” lamented another woman. “It was so cheaply made and left so much lint that I gave up on trying to use it, and as for way it looked, the less said the better.” He's a baseball fan, so if your not a baseball fan or don't want to become one... My suggestion is telling him you would rather shop together and pick something out so he can buy it for you.... Negotiate... your not 5 years old. If you like something please negotiate with him and buy it together. I took my girlfriend out to the Ginza and bought whatever she wanted for her birthday and sometimes Christmas... She's really excited about it.... and she's happy.... Try a new approach ask him or tell him what you likeeeeeeeeeee......

“For White Day one year I got an electric tooth brush, still in the plastic bag from the drugstore where he bought it, with the receipt included,” said another. Seriously ? You probably have serious bad breath or hygiene problem..... POV he doesn't care about you... Time to move on....

“I gave a homemade cake to my boyfriend for Valentine’s Day, and when White Day rolled around, all he gave me was a cake that he baked,” grumbled one 32-year-old woman. He's just simply copying off you, he's not offending you but it seems he's trying to please use because you like baking. Nothing wrong no harm done.... Mostly the cheapest gifts are the best......

Not according to this 23-year-old-woman. “My boyfriend said, ‘I got you these since the weather is getting colder,’ and gave me a pair of wool panties.” He's just being observant, maybe he can't afford and expensive gift... He heard you complain " it's cold, I'm so cold. and etc. " so he purchased warm clothing for you.... Be happy he is thinking of you even though you feel it's awkward...

In all some guys care, some guys do not, some guys have the money to purchase nice material things, some guys can't afford to buy material things, some guys want to buy some guys make excuses not to buy something, and etc. Pick the man you want to be with. of course he has his faults or whatever but he " Loves You or He's fooling you " You can be the judge !!!!!

Good Luck Out There !!!!

6 ( +8 / -2 )

As a matter of fact, multiple women said what they appreciated most was a letter of encouragement when they were feeling down, proving that once again, it really is the thought that counts.

And here I was expecting another article talking about how shallow and superficial Japanese women are. This is a pleasant surprise.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

“For White Day one year I got an electric tooth brush, still in the plastic bag from the drugstore where he bought it, with the receipt included,” said another.

Maybe you had bad breath.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Was the electric toothbrush the vibrating type, I wonder?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

“I gave a homemade cake to my boyfriend for Valentine’s Day, and when White Day rolled around, all he gave me was a cake that he baked,” grumbled one 32-year-old woman.

I went back to the original Japanese. The problem was that the guy's cake tasted better than the girl's!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

tooth brush, still in the plastic bag from the drugstore where he bought it, with the receipt included,”

Maybe this one was a mistake. The guy bought a nice wrapped present on the same day, then he had gave her the wrong bag. My sister arrived at a b-day party and opened her car boot to find... the bag of garbage she had to take out that morning instead of the present.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

An ex-girlfriend once gave me a nose-hair trimmer (yes, she was probably trying to tell me something!) made by Victorinox---the round type that you shove up your nostril. It must've been returned to the shop before she bought it---or it was a demo model---because somebody else's nose-hairs were already in it when I opened the box!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

My mother always said : "Never look a gift horse in the mouth" - I never have and I have always been grateful if someone would think of giving me anything !

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This article made me chuckle ! I just needed a laugh! (I'm in the middle of an important job on my computer - which seems to be playing me up...)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Talk about 1st world problems, shesh some people are ungrateful.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

FightingViking, exactly, gift should not be looked commercially, when you receive a gift from some one that means that he/she thinking about you when you are not around, he/she remember you. another and a very important aspect of the gift is that it removes any misunderstanding or even hatred

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I gave a homemade cake to my boyfriend for Valentine’s Day, and when White Day rolled around, all he gave me was a cake that he baked,” grumbled one 32-year-old woman.

Gee, I wonder why it didn't work out. Materialistic cow. Why women think men should spend more money on them when it comes to presents is beyond me. My husband has given me a few shockers at times but then I think about why he picked what he did and it really is the thought that is important. Mind you, we don't bother with gifts anymore...

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Men are practical...they tend to give useful things. Nothing wrong with that.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

why we call a simple thing a gift, because it gets the association of emotions, so the emotional association is more important then the nature of the gift, if you fully conveyed your emotions to your partner on behalf of your gift then you are job is done.

The best gift from a man to a woman is trust and from the woman to the man is a smile

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The worst gift they can get from their boyfriend it's probably STD.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

My father once gave my mother a new over for Mother's Day. Needless to say, she wasn't impressed. Never mind, of course, that for the last three months she had complained about how much she wanted a new oven... it just wasn't the right time for such a "gift." I usually take my sister or mother with me when I do gift-buying for important ladies in my life, as they can usually spot such a faux pas before I make a purchase :)

Keep tying, guys! We can't win 'em all.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

My mother always said : "Never look a gift horse in the mouth" -

I was given a horse, with superb teeth. But I had to refuse.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Reminds me of a birthday party i went to ,this japanese guy was given a swiss knife as a present he could not open it ,since i had downed one too many i offered to show him how to do it ,in the act i cut my finger deeply ,i have never bled so much in my life the thing was very sharp blood eas all over the place.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

so.. what are the best gifts? all I read was complaining from bad gifts...

I'm a very difficult person to give a gift for.. but it's because I have very particular tastes so anything that is related with a gesture is appreciated, I prefer a song, a poem, a night with a favorite movie, rather than a piece of jewelry, perfume, etc.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

“I gave a homemade cake to my boyfriend for Valentine’s Day, and when White Day rolled around, all he gave me was a cake that he baked,” grumbled one 32-year-old woman."

Since she grumbled, the boyfriend's cake must have tasted bad, lol. I'll bet it was good though.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"I was sick at home, so my boyfriend cooked rice porridge and brought it over,” she says, referring to the typical food eaten by Japanese people suffering from a cold or flu. “It tasted completely terrible, but I was so touched that he’d do that for me that I cried.”

She probably cried because of the terrible taste hahahah....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"My boyfriend ...gave me a cassette with a recording of him singing it, but there was so much static and background noise that I couldn't understand a word he was saying."

Well, unless this was back in the 80s, this stinks of incompetence, lack of planning, and slapdash behaviour. Dump him at once missus!

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites