Club to bring in Japanese Valentine’s Day experience

Members of the Japanese Club will celebrate White Day March 25 on the mall.

White Day is a Japanese holiday celebrated one month after Valentine's Day. In Japan, Valentine's Day is celebrated differently than in the United States.

"On Valentine's Day, girls give chocolates to boys. The following month is White Day; boys give girls gifts back," international studies sophomore Sarah Pichardo, club vice president, said.

In Japan, Valentine's Day and White Day gifts are selected based on how much affection one person feels toward another. Men and women have the option of giving a courtesy gift if they do not have romantic feelings for a person.

"Homemade gifts are for love; store bought is just for everyone," education sophomore Robert Vidal, club president, said.

Vidal encourages students to celebrate White Day Japanese-style. "A popular date is karaoke," he said, "and drinking sake. It's not considered taboo to be like, ‘Let's go out drinking on the first date.'"

Vidal said Japanese romance is less demonstrative than the U.S. variety. "In Japan, they are very conservative. Holding hands is for serious dating, and kissing is considered fairly obscene in public," he said.

Club members will be on the mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. passing out fliers and serving Japanese foods, such as yakisoba, rice balls and green tea. They also will be offering sweeter things for the romantic occasion, such as cupcakes and romance rolls.

"Romance rolls are like a sushi roll, but instead of fish and vegetables, it has banana and strawberry," Vidal said.