It is a practice in Japan that women give men chocolates on Valentine’s Day. Every year in February you will find ling lines of women in front of confectionary counters of department stores. In the mid-1930s, a Western confectionary company advertised their products on Valentine’s day.

After that many more companies capitalized on the idea. As a result, the practice of giving chocolates on Valentine’s Day become widespread. Now, giving away chocolates is not only to someone you like, but to male bosses and colleagues “obligatory chocolates” and to female friends “friends chocolates”. Today, almost a fifth of the chocolates consumed are sold around Valentine’s Day. During this occasion, department stores display chocolates from all over the world, which may not be available at other times. It also has become a practice that women buy beautifully packed expensive chocolates as a “gift” for themselves.

Receiving chocolates on Valentine’s Day.

Colleague : Tim, choko takusan morattan da ne. Waito dei no okaeshi ga taihen da ne.
John : Waito dei tte, nani
Colleague : Barentain ni choko o moratta hitoga, okaeshi o suru hi dayo.
Chodo 1kagetsugo no 3gatsu 14nichi. (instead of 14nichi pls say juyokka)
John : ee! Sonna koto shiranakatta.
Colleague : Tsugi wa otoko no ban nan dayo.