Will Your Valentine’s Day Be Bitter or Sweet?

Valentine’s Day tends to bring out strong emotions: generally, you really like it or dislike it, for any of a whole range of reasons.

Nobody's even sure how Valentine's Day originated. Consequently, unlike most other holidays, nobody quite knows why we celebrate it. There are many theories, but few known facts. Other holidays may have strange traditions, like eating 3 days' worth of food in an hour on Thanksgiving, but at least we know what all the fuss is about.

We were pleased with Adam Wooten's recent article offering anecdotes and suggestions on holiday-related concerns, which can help anyone with international dealings to avoid potential cross-cultural pitfalls. After all, who wants to turn pink from embarrassment or have their colleagues go red in the face with vexation because their customs weren't taken into account? 

Translation by Design (TBD) is well aware that knowing what holidays are observed (and how) in different parts of the world is important for anyone with associates, clients or contractors in other countries. TBD’s translation and cross cultural experts use resources such as these to ensure that all your international negotiations and business dealings have sweet outcomes - whether it's Valentine's Day or not.

Since we can't send you a cross-cultural expert to help navigate this tricky holiday, allow us to at least suggest that, since nobody knows why we commemorate it, who's to say how we should celebrate? We hope this broader interpretation of the holiday helps you turn it into your best Valentine’s Day yet!