M&M’s Valentine’s Day Contest

by Brenda Yun on

Most would argue that red is the color of love and therefore the color for Valentine’s Day, but the M&M’s chocolate company begs to differ. While to most green is the color of envy, it is Ms. Green who will have you seeing some green ($1500 to be exact) — as well as experiencing two nights in quintessentially romantic Paris.

The only thing you have to do is visit the contest website and write a 150-word essay explaining why you and your sweetie need Ms. Green’s help to heat up your romance this Valentine’s Day. (No purchase necessary!). The sight adds, “Brevity is the soul of wit, darling,” so I’m guessing my essay, which went something like, “I would really like a holiday” is neither witty nor the kind of brevity they’re looking for.

According to the always long-winded contest rules, you must be 21 years or older to enter and live within the 50 United States. The top five essays will be selected based on the following criteria: Relevance, Creativity, and Style and Panache (???), and then judged one more time by a separate panel to select the winner. The prize includes two roundtrip ticket to Paris, a two-night stay in the city, and $1500 to spend on romantic dining and activities.

Seems rather straightforward, my friends. You must submit your essay by February 12, so think green (or red) and get to it!

Rub the One You’re With deal from Kimpton

by Annie Scott on

Valentine’s Day is around the corner. If you have a Valentine in mind and you don’t plan ahead, not only will you miss the great deals, but you’re also kind of a jerk.

Kimpton is offering a seriously good getaway package at 29 of their hotels in the United States and Canada. The Rub the One You’re With package includes:

  • Deluxe overnight accommodations (parking included)
  • Welcome bottle of champagne
  • Private one-hour massage instruction class with a personal massage therapist
  • Take-home massage kit featuring Kerstin Florian organic lavender massage oil, lavender & lemon aromatherapy candle and aromatherapy bath salts

That’s right. Whoever you take with you will leave knowing how to massage you. Now that’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Reservations can be made at KimptonHotels.com by entering PRLX. Rates start at $249 and vary by city.

Big in Japan: White Day is the opposite of Valentine’s Day

by Matthew Firestone on

To Western eyes, there’s no shortage of unusual Japanese festivals that have little to no equivalent in our society.

Indeed, the first time I started throwing dried rice around the house in order to ward away evil spirits, I couldn’t help but feel like I was wasting food.

(Then again, you can imagine the reaction most Japanese people have when they see us Westerners carving up a perfectly edible pumpkin on Halloween!).

Anyway, last month was Valentine’s Day, a chocolate-fueled holiday dedicated to everlasting love (or at least intense sugar-highs).

While this Hallmark holiday has swept around the world, from London to Sydney and Buenos Aires to Cape Town, Valentine’s Day in Japan is just a bit different.

While Western women expect their significant others to reward their devotion with flowers, candy, jewelry and/or expensive dinners, in Japan, Valentine’s Day is a man’s holiday.

Yes – that’s right! On Valentine’s Day in Japan, men expect their significant others to reward their devotions with chocolate, expensive dinners and/or a six pack of lager.

But, fret not ladies as today is March 14th, which is otherwise known as White Day in Japan.

And, assuming you haven’t broken up with your man since February, today you can expect your generosity to be repaid three-fold!

White Day (ホワイトデー, howaito dē), which was created in Japan in 1980, is somewhat akin to the American version of Valentine’s Day, though it’s celebrated exactly one month after the fact.

While few women in the West have any reason to mark March 14th on their calendars, this seemingly innocent day is unforgettable in Asia.

In fact, the concept of White Day has spread throughout Korea, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong in recent years, and is being applauded as a way of turning the tables on sexism.

While women in Asia have long been snubbed on Valentine’s Day, Japanese females are quick to cite the right of sanbai kaeshi (三倍返し), which literally translates to thrice the return.

So, if you gave your man a box of $25 chocolates on Valentine’s Day, this rule dictates that the return gift should at least $75 or even more.

Then again, as this is the age of women’s liberation here in Japan, it shouldn’t come as surprise that the right of juubai kaeshi (十倍返し) or ten-times the return is becoming more the norm.

So where exactly does White Day come from?

Well, the romantic story is that the holiday began in 1965 when a marshmallow maker started marketing to men.

His unique pitch was that men should pay back the women who gave them chocolate and other gifts with fluffy, white marshmallows.

Of course, the reality is probably a bit more monetary in scope.

In the 1970s, confectionery companies realized that they could capitalize on such a tradition, and began marketing white chocolate.

Soon after, other companies jumped on the consumer bandwagon, and started advertising everything from white gold to white-lace lingerie.

History aside, today is White Day in Japan…

So, if you’re living over here in the Land of the Rising Sun, and there is a significant other in your life, might I suggest a quick run to the candy store.

After all, the consequences for missing White Day are just to brutal and gruesome to depict here.

** Image are courtesy of the WikiCommons media project. **

“No” to Valentine’s Day sex for Thai teens

by Anna Brones on

Seems like this Valentine’s Day is all about banning things; in Saudi Arabia it’s red roses and in Thailand it’s teenage sex. All jokes aside, the Thai government sees this as a serious issue. That might be on account of the fact that polls show one in four teens plans on celebrating the day of Cupid by sleeping with someone.

So instead of fluffy teddy bears and boxes of chocolates, Thai malls, motels and parks of will be full of police on the love patrol.

But whether or not teens act on the poll predictions remains to be seen; a sluggish economy and the recent death of Princess Galyani Vadhana — King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s sister — have put a general damper on celebrations of any kind.

Big in Japan: Drinking breast milk and other bizarre fetishes

by Matthew Firestone on

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which means that a lot of people out there are searching for Mr. and Mrs. Right…

But, in this bustling modern day age of midnight deadlines and overtime-laden schedules, who has the time to put themselves out there and find true love?

Then again, for anyone keen on avoiding the trials and tribulations of the dating game, you can always take out a classified advertisement.

Although it may not be romantic, classified ads are certainly quick, easy and functional.

And, if you happen to be looking for something a bit more – how shall we say this – kinky, they’re also a great way of maintaining your anonymity.

In Tokyo, the much-loved Metropolis magazine runs what is perhaps the most famous classified ads section in Japan, especially for anyone out there with an unusual fetish.

In a special list compiled this week, Metropolis gave us all an insight into just how bizarre Tokyoites and resident foreigners can be.

Don’t believe me? Check this one out:

Breast milk wanted. British guy, 33, looking for a kind woman of any nationality, ideally under 40, who can feed a hungry boy. 100% confidential. My first time.

It gets weirder…keep on reading if you don’t believe me!

This Valentine’s Day, it seems that infidelity is in the air, especially since breaking the sacred bonds of marriage seems to be about as popular here in Tokyo as the new line of Luis Vuiton handbags.

Looking to put a bit of spice back into your married life?

Try having an affair!

Not sure where to start?

Here are some lonely people who can help you rekindle that old flame:

– Unhappily married man. Love humor, fun, relaxing, playing, thinking, sex, reading, learning, honesty, trust, really bad jokes, singing off-key. Hate vegetables, Bush, unhappiness.

– JM, married but tall, fit and very handsome, seeks woman for discreet meetings. I’m tired of marital days. Good-looking Caucasian or Asian girl preferred.

– Bored.in.my.marriage.com. Are you stuck at this address? If your husband doesn’t love, physically excite or listen to you, I’ll do it for him. For both of us. Lovers first.

– Fun sex friend. Seeking discreet sex friend for rendezvous in Shibuya. Ideally looking for a sex-starved married woman. I’ll bring the Viagra, you just have to bring yourself. Handsome, kind and fit American seeks married Japanese lady for nothing but good times! Remember, you only live once. So come on.

Of course, for those of us not into extra-marital affairs, there’s no shortage of strange fetishists out there looking for a special kind of love/lust this V-day season.

How strange is the dating scene in Tokyo you ask?

Let’s just say that the following classified ads certainly speak for themselves!

Kinky lady. Open-minded, uninhibited, wild, curious, humorous, good-looking, SJM, 30s, seeks female for kinky fun. Just licking and cleaning all her holes, and drinking and wearing her golden water!

Italian man, new in Kawasaki, wants chubby or quasi-fat lady to be with. Should enjoy eating. Any nationality.

(Here’s the kicker…)

A little different. 55-year-old Western businessman, into wearing diapers. Who wants to email me?

Wow – you know what? I think this Valentine’s Day, I’ll just settle for a cold beer and dinner for one at my favorite ramen noodle shop…

From all of us here at Gadling to all of you out there in cyberspace, hope you’ve found love this V-day season that doesn’t involve drinking breast milk, golden water (gross) and wearing diapers!

** All images sourced from the Wikimedia Commons Project **