A new infographic has just been released that helps us make sense of the sometimes quirky, often times weird ways people all over the world celebrate this international day of romance.
For example, did you know that in Japan it is the MEN who are the recipients of gifts on Valentine’s Day, whilst in France women burn photos of lovers that did them wrong?
To complicate things even further, in some countries it is friends – not lovers – who are spoiled on V day. A big shout out to Estonia and Finland here who recognise the importance in a day dedicated to showing your mates just how freaking awesome they are.
Check out the infographic below:
So here’s a weird one: Slovenians celebrate (can you even call it that) Valentine’s Day by walking barefoot through a field…*cue cricket chirping*
They even believe that it’s on this day that birds in the fields propose and marry their loved ones. Slovenians are amazingly friendly people though, so we’re prepared to let that slide…
In Denmark and Norway, men get all poetic on their lovers by sending their crushes anonymous poems signed with one dot for each letter of the man’s name.
According to tradition, if the woman guesses correctly who sent the letter, then he must reward her with an egg on Easter. Is she guesses wrong, it is she who must give him an egg.
Last but not least, Romans make it a habit to visit the saint that we owe this great tradition to on the big day: Saint Valentine who died back in the 3rd century AD.
And you should probably do the same “when in Rome.”
But be warned, only his skull remains….gross!
