Valentines Day Abroad

Time to brush up on your multiculturalism. In the USA, people celebrate Valentine's Day with roses, chocolates and romantic gestures. In other countries, though, Valentine’s Day involves way more commitment (and less commercialism).

• France. Valentine’s Day originated in France during the middle ages. When birds began to mate halfway through the second month of the year, lovers considered this a sign and began exchanging love letters, beginning the cherished holiday.
• Japan. On February 14th, women buy Hom-mei, a chocolate strictly for boyfriends and husbands. Women have to wait the whole month to receive their gift, which is usually white chocolate.
• United Kingdom. Along with exchanging cards, chocolates and flowers, Brits write sonnets and verses to each other. Children also join in the fun by spending the day singing songs.
• Canada. On Valentine’s Day, balls and parties are organized and thrown all over the country.
• South Africa. Week long celebrations and parties take place in South Africa. Young girls celebrate the day by celebrating a tradition called “Lupercalia.” This tradition requires girls to pin the name of their lover on their sleeve.
• India. Celebrating Valentine’s Day is a recent tradition here. Festivals are week-long and the day is hyped by television, newspapers and more.
• Italy. Couples exchange flowers and chocolate along with more extravagant gifts such as perfume and diamonds.
• Scotland. Imagine celebrating a romantic day with a complete stranger. A popular tradition in Scottish culture is “The Search of the Valentine Date.” The first man or woman a person sees on the street becomes his or her Valentine.
• China. Chinese Valentine’s Day is on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month on the Chinese calendar. Couples visit a temple called "Temple of Matchmaker" and pray for happiness and future marriage. Single people also visit to pray for luck in finding love.

Hope you all find this as interesting as I did! ;)