Affluent young Asians embrace Valentine’s Day to show lovers they care

DHAKA - Lovestruck and affluent young Asians are rushing to make a show of their affections this Valentine’s Day by showering their sweethearts with flowers, chocolates and candle-lit dinners.

From Muslim Bangladesh to communist China people of all creeds are increasingly embracing the traditions of February 14, even though it is a Christian festival, which honours the Catholic patron saint of lovers.

But while the tokens of love exchanged are styled on those commonly used in the West, the religious origins of the day are often conveniently - or deliberately - forgotten.

Most participants around Asia seem glad simply to have a day in which they can celebrate romance and make an outward show of affection, especially in some of the region’s more conservative cultures.

An occasion for celebration

“I think it is good because it gives you a chance to express your love for each other,” said Matthew Halder, 23, a student in mostly Muslim Bangladesh, where the majority of marriages are arranged and young couples have to be chaperoned by watchful relatives.

Awareness of western trends and lifestyle has been growing in the country since the introduction of satellite television in the early-1990s, and youngsters are keen to emulate their screen heroes by exercising greater freedom in love and courtship.

“People have been celebrating Valentine’s Day for about five or six years now,” said Halder, 23, who marked the day early with an exchange of roses, chocolates and a romantic lunch with his girlfriend Borna Sarkar, 21, a fellow student in the capital Dhaka.

“It all started when satellite television came to Bangladesh for the first time. People became aware of it and they like it,” Halder said.

Some young people in Pakistan are also getting into the spirit of the day, swapping roses and organising balls, but most have to show their affection in secret.

Religious leaders oppose the celebration, saying that the Western practice of sending cards and roses to one’s lover contravenes Islamic ideology.

The fundamentalist Jamaat-i-Islami party has even demanded a ban on the celebrations, dubbing it a “shameful day”.

In India Hindu hardliners are also vehemently against the festival, with trident-wielding activists warning that they will prowl the streets of main cities on Monday to punish those indulging in the “disgraceful behaviour of celebrating Valentine’s Day”.

Although India is the land that gave us the erotic Kama Sutra, Valentine’s Day is celebrated mainly by the urban elite, egged on by Indian businesses looking to make a quick buck.

Firms are trying to entice young couples to splash out on an array of romance-enhancers such as mobile phone love games, electronic kisses, jewellery, chocolates and special foods to heighten love.

Countries put their own spin on the festival

Throughout Asia Valentine’s Day is seen more as a chance for couples to affirm their love for one another, rather than for single people to woo a prospective mate, as often happens in western countries.

In Singapore, Valentine’s Day packages - from massages to candle-lit dinners - are very much oriented towards couples, which experts warned meant it was a tough day for singles seeking partners.

The city state is vigorously encouraging its citizens to make babies to arrest an alarming decline in birth rates which is shrinking its population and distorting demographics.

“I think ... you might feel sad being in Singapore if you are single,” said Wei Siang Yu, a Singapore medical doctor and self-styled sex guru popularly known as Dr Love.

“Togetherness actually starts from a single person.... Maybe in a way, communication is too focused on couples.

“If we are going to have more babies, we ought to be having more people falling in love. In order to make people fall in love, we should have more singles parties,” Wei added.

An annual survey of Thai youths aged 15-24 found that nearly 40 percent believe Valentine’s is an important holiday because it gives them a chance to show their love to their partners.

But the poll by researchers at the respected Assumption University also found that more than 24 percent of Thai youth believe Valentine’s is not a part of Thai culture, and that love can be expressed on any day.

In China, where religion has long been suppressed by the communist government, Valentine’s Day is translated as “Lover’s Day”, devoid of any spiritual connotation, and has become popular among urban dwellers during the last 20 years of opening up and reform.

Of all those in Asia, the Japanese are perhaps the most fanatical about February 14, but like most countries in the region it has put its own spin on the Catholic festival and adopted it as its own.

Women in Japan are expected to mark Valentine’s Day by giving chocolate to men, but in a unique twist they must wait until a month later - White Day on March 14 - to receive gifts in return, with men giving presents such as flowers, candy or cookies.

AFP