Too many cooks spoil the broth. Maybe you've heard this proverb, which means too much is as bad as too little. But recently too many 'days' spoil the meaning of days.
'Diary day, yellow day, rose day, silver day, green day, music day, photo day, movie day, hug day, 'Kancho' day and 'Chocopie' day.... ' Have you ever heard of these days before? Maybe these are very unfamiliar days to you, but they certainly exist. Furthermore, there are even more special days than you would think.
Let's think about how many special days there are in a year. First, every 14th of the month has its own special name. Also, it is determined by the particular combination of numbers which makes special days, too. For example, Samgypsal pork in Korean) day is on March 3rd because there are two 'Sams' (3 in Korean) in the day when we write it. Pepero day (11.11) is another example.
The shape of numbers also makes special days. 'Chupa-chups day (9.9)' and 'Onion ring day (10.10)' are examples because each product resembles the shape of the number. So adding all the days, there are about 40 special days in a year.
But many of these days don't follow the indications which days require. According to a survey conducted among 100 CAU students, they have many complaints about special days. The number one complaint is that 'Special days seem to be a part of the marketing strategy which companies make.' For instance, 'Rose day' has no traditional story like that of Vanlentine's Day. People explain the day is generated relating to the 'Rose festival' of an amusement park. The tradition of Vanlentine's day on which we give chocolate to lovers was also started by the slogan 'Chocolate will convey your love' by one company. And what about 'White day'? 'White day' was created by one confectionary company in Japan. In the 1970s, to increase sales of marshmallow, the company suggested a campaign saying 'Reward the love you receive in Vanlentine's day with Marshmallow products on March 14th.' Because the color of marshmallow is white, March 14th was called 'White day'. The complaint turns out to be true. Special days sure have been originated by marketing strategies.
Students also said that when special days come, they are forced to buy the products that the days require. Like Vanlentine's day which is very common, if they don't buy chocolate, they are regarded as strange.
But whether you like special days or not, they exist. Moreover, more special days are made as long as companies who want to increase sales exist. Then what would be the best way to cope with special days?
Have you ever heard about the origin of Pepero day? You may think 'Pepero day' is related to the very trick of trade because Pepero itself is the name of the product. But Koo Ja-ryung, the brand manager of Pepero in Lotte confectionery company, said "Actually, we didn't start Pepero day. Some middle school girls in Busan gave Peperos to their friends on November 11th, saying 'Be tall and thin' like the number 1, in 1994. We only began marketing about Pepero Day in 2000. The boom of Pepero Day grew up by itself without our touch. " The truth is that it is not companies but us who have made the day.
Even though special days have many disadvantages, they also have advantages. When you want to declare your love to somebody, special days will help you. Also to keep good relationships with friends, several special days would do good.
We don't have to follow all the traditions special days have. But like the saying 'Enjoy it, if you can't avoid it', make use of it, if you can't avoid it. When you need events for friends or lovers or you want to thank someone, you can make use of special days. There are about 40 special days, so you can choose the right day among them.
Do you know these?
1.14 Candle day: to declare love making atmosphere through candles.
3.3. Samgyupsal day: to eat pork
3.14 pie day: think of pie(=3.1425…….), to give products named _ _ pie like choco pie, big pie etc.
8.14 Green day: to walk around across the green trees for couples, to drink soju named Green if you are single.
9.9 Chupa-chups day: to give Chupa-chups
9.14 Music day: to go to night clubs dancing
10.24 apple day: meaning Duri(the two who fight wit
h) Sa-gua(to apologize), it was made by the administration government to protect violence in the school.
12.14 Socks day: to give socks to prepare for Christmas
Survey conducted among 100 CAU students
1. Do you have any plans to give 'peperos'?
Yes (30%) No(70%)
2. What are the main three days you prepare for?
White Day (32.1%) Vanlentine's Day(30.9%), Pepero Day(22.6%), Rose Day(7.1%), Black Day(4.7%), etc(Kiss Day, Samgypsal Day....) (2.6%)
3. days are
1)needed(16%)
2)out of my business(66%)
3)None needed(18%)
4. The reasons why special days are needed
* as an event to stimulate the relationship
* the opportunity to convey love
5. The reasons special days are not needed
*It's only a marketing strategy.
*It urges people to consume.
By Kim Moon-sun
Herald culture reporter