Happy White Day

In Korea, March 14th is known as "White Day." It is essentially the same as our western Valentine's Day and the opposite of Valentine's Day here. On Valentine's Day here, girls typically give chocolates to the guys. But, on White Day, it is the guys' turn to give presents to the girls!

Yesterday, we saw many guys in the little corner store buying chocolates and huge baskets of things (mostly candy, teddy bears, and artificial roses). Some of the baskets are covered with layers and layers of "poof" (tulle) to make them look even bigger. I have been told by my fellow teachers that it is common for some of the girls who receive such large poofy baskets to carry them around with them (particularly at the universities) to show them off!

Since we celebrated Valentine's Day in a more western fashion, I didn't expect any recognition of White Day. Jordan told me that since I didn't want a Korean Valentine's Day, I wasn't getting White Day. However, much to my surprise, Jordan gave me a little basket of candy, a puppy (no, not a real one), and a mug! I should know him well enough by now not to have been surprised by that!

Happy White Day!