lifestyle

What are you giving the ladies for White Day?

60 Comments

Last month, we looked at the unique way in which Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Japan. Women give “giri” chocolates to their male friends and colleagues at work. “Giri” refers to obligation or duty. When Japanese people receive gifts, they feel they have to pay back the kindness or give something in return.

In the case of Valentine’s Day, that means guys have to return the favor on White Day, which falls on March 14.

Young women tend to prefer sweets as a return gift from men. In the past, they would be pleased to receive Godiva chocolates or some other high-end brand. However, recently, women appreciate handmade sweets as well. Media such as J-Cast and Nikkei Women have been reporting on the latest trend.

According to a survey conducted by Ageil Media Network in 2010, 66% of women answered that they would prefer to receive handmade sweets on White Day in return for having given “giri-choco.” They said it shows men’s diligence and that they understand women’s feelings.

Also, 63% of men said they would try to make sweets by themselves for White Day.

Perhaps this trend has accelerated due to the increasing media coverage of men who are opting to stay at home to look after their children and do housework. Dubbed “ikumen” (fathers or husbands who actively participate in housework and raising their children) by the media, they are considered an attractive catch for young women.

One woman quoted in the Ageil Media survey said, “Receiving store-bought sweets is boring. I’d like something original made by a guy.” Another commented, “That’s an awesome idea. I would be so happy if I received such warm-hearted sweets. You can’t put a price on a gift from the heart which is much better than any expensive jewelry.”

For guys who are proud of their sweets-making skills, there is a competition called “White Day Daisakusen: Ikeotoko eno michi” (White Day Strategy: The way of cool men). Find out more about the contest at http://www.choco-recipe.jp/milk/recommend/ikedan_cp/index.php

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60 Comments
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Since on Valentine's day she sent me a box of chocolates through post mail and called me from a bar she went to with her friends (not me) and thought that was romantic, she's getting nothing. Otherwise I would have given her white orchids with a box of chocolates wrapped in a fabric (furoshiki) and a little bottle of massage oil (suggesting I would give her the massage).

6 ( +10 / -4 )

I gave the ladies their early White Day presents last week! Nice, eh?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Oh, iceshoecream - be the bigger person here! Show her how it's meant to be done... but also feel free to throw a tizzy at any point she gets complacent or thpoughtless.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

"I would have given her... a little bottle of massage oil ( suggesting I would give her the massage )"

How about just giving her the massage with or without the oil?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I'll give my female coworkers Chocolates and Cookies.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Although I was happy to get and devour the chocolates my coworkers gave me, I really wish they'd given me nothing in the first place, and I wouldn't have to bother a) getting chocolates for them on White Day or b) feeling bad for not getting them anything on White Day. I might go with b).

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Girls chipping in to get the guys at the workplace something is pretty standard -- but this year, the girls in my department were super...frugal. Instead of getting each guy a small box with 4 chocolates or something equivalent, the girls chipped in to give each guy a single chocolate! Well, 3x okaeshi will be a breeze for them this year!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

In my department alone, we have 9 guys working with 22 ladies. You would think we hit the jackpot last Valentines' day? Think again. Each guy got a small box of chocolates which are commonly found in grocery stores that cost about 200-300 yen.

Now, if we give back even the same worth of chocolates, each of us would need to shell out about 500 yen per person, while the ladies spent about 100 yen each.

All I can say and do right now is mumble and scratch head.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Nothing, I gave my present on Valentines day like the rest of the world and not fall victum to a commercial scam promotion.

White Day was first celebrated in 1978 in Japan. It was started by the National Confectionery Industry Association

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Day

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Also, 63% of men said they would try to make sweets by themselves for White Day.

Where can I find these men? I've only seen men giving out sweets that their wife picked, or treating women lunch or couple of drinks at Izakayas.

Interesting...

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

My white surprise.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I will have household servants make home made choco for to give to my female secretary employees and receptionist.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

My presence should be more than enough.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I will give her an organically grown, pesticide free APPLE. One from the many stored in my fruit refrigerator :-)

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Ill definatley give her one. Wahey!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Absolutely nothing!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Where can I find these men? I've only seen men giving out sweets that their wife picked, or treating women lunch or couple of drinks at Izakayas

complaining about guys treating girls for lunch/drinks?! Jeez the sense of entitlement in women these days.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

y3chome - EXACTLY!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

With the demographics here pointing out that certain percent of males dying out before 65, they should be thankful to men for just being there as long.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Alex; -And they retire younger -Often work shorter hours

if they work at all -Get to enjoy a fair amount of having guys paying for girls during their lifetime
2 ( +2 / -0 )

I would like red roses for White day! Do not forget!

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

"My presence should be more than enough"

Word, ha ha!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

A BIG FAT _____!!!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

My presence, of course, IS more than enough, but I still gave the ladies early White Day choco, which they love.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Hahaha.........ya guys are supposed to fill it in!!!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

lost - Can I change one word? How about A BIG SLOPPY KISS?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Reading the comments, I sighed and concluded, men commenting here are apparently not romantics.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

"I was gonna get you Choco, but I reckoned that as you are so beautiful and popular that so many guys would give you choco today, so out of thought for your health, I didnt get you any choco"

3 ( +3 / -0 )

fill it in!!!

lostrune2, I think you just had the best answer for your own question. LOL!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I sighed and concluded, men commenting here are apparently not romantics.

What?! Look up Romantic in the dictionary. You'll see Gurukun. When I walk into a room, Everyday is White Day for the ladies.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Gurukun - Ha ha, please stop, yer killin' me, ha ha!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"I would like red roses for White Day"

Love, this is Japan, you will get choco.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

....... And like it!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Overplay it and you won't be popular, either.

what's wrong with something simple to say thanks?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Nani, mo, nai.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Maybe White Chocolate

0 ( +0 / -0 )

a pad on the back, and say " Good JOB"

1 ( +1 / -0 )

My wife? Nothing. I gave her plenty on the actual Valentine's Day, including cookies I made from scratch and a DVD (in iDVD) of movies and pictures from the time we've met to present. I will, however, buy something small for my sister-in-law's daughter (and younger brother) who gave me chocolate on Valentine's.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Nothin'

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I will wine and dine as we did on Valentine's Day (her treat). I try very hard to stay out of the choco/flowers business. The best was many years ago, we took sashimi, fruits, and wine and sat on a blanket beachside at night (insect repellant candle,too). The heavens put on a show (shooting stars). My young students do get the chocolate treatment.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Man, every 2 weeks have something in this country to celebrate and give gifts. All the girls on my school gave me chocolates, now I am struggling to find something to "pay back". What people gives to you expecting to have something back is not a gift.

The day was made up by the Japanese chocolate industry, it used to be called answer day, why do you think you must give white chocolate back? So that it forces you to buy more chocolate instead of giving the same chocolate back to that person.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I always wondered why the wrapping was backwards on Japanese Valentine and White Day Chocolates.

Shouldn't the wrapping be blue when the ladies give men Valentine Day Choclolates?

Shouldn't the wrapping be pink or red when the men give the ladies White Day chocolates?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@gogogo You're clever, I hadn't thought of that.

I hate that kind of fake, forced romanticism.... Women can be such fools.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Something white. Like white gold.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Reading the comments, I sighed and concluded, men commenting here are apparently not romantics.

Well giri chocolate is not SUPPOSED to be romantically motivated. I'm sure there are exceptions, but I imagine the majority of OL's out there get a box of store-bought choko and repackage a few pieces for each co-worker. Hmmm, but the article says 66% of these same OL's would prefer hand-made giri choko from their male co-workers. You get what you give, ladies. You give store-bought, you get store-bought.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

DUCK IN A BOX.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

a wink and a smile

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Giver her some chocolates, sexy panties and some painkillers. That way, later in the evening you've covered the 'I've got a headache' excuse :)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

8 years and never anything.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

What is White DAy?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

White Day is the day ( actually the week up to White Day ) when the choco companies' sales are 3 times what they were the week up to Valentine's Day.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

We're both gaijins so I don't expect anything from him. Didn't give him a Vday present either.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

absolutely nothing. valentines is over! there is no such thing as white day!.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

my boss ges the company to pay for all his white day gifts.... and asks the secretary to go and buy it!! I received 8 chocos so feel a bit obliged to give back... so have ordered some gourmet stuff on-line.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Just a big hug :)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Each of the lovely ladies who presented me something sweet will also get a sweet something to suit their uniqueness. Nothing store-bought.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't understand why Valentine's Day can't be mutual in Japan like in the rest of the world. White day = white chocolate? No thanks.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

complaining about guys treating girls for lunch/drinks?! Jeez the sense of entitlement in women these days.

Sorry for the late response. (I know nobody is expecting one, but here I go...)

I'm not complaining, but just commenting on the kind of men I knew as tradition. Wow, I must meet new people. I have never seen an Obento danshi before let alone guys making home made White Day gifts!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I will make her a T-Bone steak on the grill. Much better then any chocolates/

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I will make her a T-Bone steak on the grill.

That sounds yummy. I have to put that idea into my hubby's head.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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