HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
In Japan, being able to "read the air" (kuuki wo yomu) is not just important; it is a fundamental concept in Japanese culture, inextricably linked to social behavior and etiquette.
In Japan, Valentine's Day is a day where women are expected to give chocolate to the men in their lives. This means anyone from their husbands and uncles to co-workers and bosses. As any person's relationships with others are not always equal, Japan has three "levels" of chocolates that are given out based on the giver's closeness to the receiver:
"giri-choco" (obligatory chocolates)
"honmei-choco" (heartfelt chocolates)
"tomo-choco" (friend chocolates)
Here, even Valentine's Day can become a stressful event for women, who must navigate the social waters of their relationships to figure out what kind of chocolate she must give out.
You can learn more about Valentine's Day in this helpful article:
