Although Valentine’s Day is all about love, there is quite a bit of controversy around it. Many look forward to this occasion to spend some romantic time with their loved ones while others try to escape from this “over-commercialized” holiday saying that love should be celebrated every day of the year, not just on February 14th.
In the US, it is often referred to as a “Hallmark holiday” but have you heard about the interesting Valentine’s Day traditions around the world? This article goes into details about how Valentine's Day is celebrated in countries such as Japan, South Korea, Finland, Estonia and England, and the regional variations as well. I have always known about "White Day" celebrated a month after Valentine's Day on March 14th, in many Asian countries. What I didn't know was "Black Day" celebrated another month after on April 14th in South Korea, by singles that didn't receive any love or gifts on Valentine's Day or White Day. Seems pretty complicated but I do like that you get to celebrate with your friends on Black Day, eating "JaJangMyeon" together, a yummy noodle with dark sauce on top. Any reason for a little JaJangMyeon is a good reason indeed.
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These days we tend to talk about the weather more than usual. But did you know that there are dozens of weather related idioms? Check out some of the most common ones here! to be on cloud nine: to be very happy because something great happened E.g. He was on cloud nine when he heard that his wife was pregnant with their baby. I would be on cloud nine if I got that promotion! come rain or shine: no matter what happens, it is done E.g. The mailman comes every morning, rain or shine. Come rain or shine, I'll be at your wedding, I promise. when it rains, it pours: when something goes wrong, it will be followed by a serious of negative events E.g. Last week Tom got fired, his girlfriend broke up with me, and he got the flu. When it rains, it pours. It looks like everyone in our family is sick again, and all at the same time. When it rains, it pours. a breath of fresh air: a relief in the form of a person or situation E.g. I love his innovative ideas and drive. His positive attitude is a breath of fresh air in this cut-throat industry. Leah is so cheerful and optimistic- she's like a breath of fresh air when we meet. under the weather: not feeling well E.g. I don't think I'll be able to make it to work today. I'm feeling a bit under the weather. Jane has been feeling under the weather for a few days. She is going to see the doctor today. to take a rain check: to postpone something for another time; a coupon for a sale item that is temporarily out-of-stock E.g. A: Why don’t we go out for lunch today? B: I’m sorry, I need to take a rain check, I have an important meeting at noon. We can get together another day. The detergent was on sale in the store but they ran out of it. I got a rain check from the clerk so I can go back and get it at the sale price when they have it back in stock. shoot the breeze: to chat in a relaxed way E.g. We spent the entire afternoon just shooting the breeze with Joel. It was good to chat with him at last. They say girls like to talk but I know that the guys like sit around the locker room and shoot the breeze too. Have you ever heard of Groundhog Day? No, not the Bill Murray movie but the annual tradition of having a groundhog predict whether or not the winter will continue for another 6 weeks or there will be an early spring. It is celebrated in the US on February 2nd, and groundhogs around the country are watched emerging from their burrow on this day. If it sees it shadow, the winter will be long, but if it is cloudy that day, spring will come early. If you want to know more, check out this year’s results by the most famous East Coast groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil: |
AuthorTeam of Hansa One Directors, Trainers and Instructors sharing experiences and interests on all things cultures and languages. Archives
January 2019
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