Lemondrop

While the rest of us will hit the treadmill on Sunday in an attempt to work off the last of those chocolates we've gobbled up since Valentine's Day, women in Japan will be popping open their heart-shaped boxes a little late this year.

Actually, it's the case every March 14, or White Day, as it's prominently advertised in candy shops from Osaka to Tokyo.

Here's how it works: On February 14, women are traditionally expected to treat the various men in their lives -- that includes bosses and platonic co-workers -- with giri, which basically means "obligation chocolate." (If they're really into someone, they can shell out some more yen for honmei, or "true love" bonbons.)


But it isn't until a whole month later that men return the favor, heaping their giri givers with confections, flowers, and, in some cases, lingerie. I'm not sure how I feel about receiving a lacey thong from someone in accounting, but I digress ...

The good news for the ladies is that the guys' White Day gifts are supposed to average about three times the value of Valentine's presents. So we're basically talking Hershey's in exchange for Godiva -- or La Perla. It seems like a clever marketing ploy to help chocolatiers get fat off the double profits. In fact, the invented holiday, named for the color of purity and sugar, naturally, was the brainchild of the Japanese National Confectionery Industry Association. Then again, while we lose an hour of sleep on Sunday, our Japanese counterparts will be having nothing but sweet dreams.

Liz Ozaist last wrote about the health benefits of dark chocolate for Lemondrop. She's now thinking that we should have our own version of White Day in the U.S. -- but exchange lots and lots of diamonds.


Think this is the only post–Valentine's Day tradition? Check out these:
+ The Ancient Remedy for Modern Heartbreak
+ Why I Celebrate Valentine's Day Later Than You