The French have long celebrated Saint Valentine’s Day. Indeed, the very first Valentine’s Day card in the world originated in France! So, it’s hardly surprising that some weird traditions have evolved there. Traditions like ‘drawing for‘.

In drawing for unmarried people enter the house across the street. They call out from one window to another, pairing off with someone across the way with whom to spend Valentines. A young man who latterly finds his chosen Valentine unappealing will then desert her. Fair enough, but then it turns nasty! Rejected girls group together, light a bonfire and burn images of the ‘callous’ young man (men) whilst shouting abuse! Err… how romantic. More about French Valentine’s Day customs

The Chinese celebrate their equivalent of Valentine’s Day in August (originally 7th day of 7th month according to the lunar calendar). On ‘Qixi‘ fruits are placed outside their windows to pay homage to the star Vega (symbolising the weaving maid) in the night sky. Even more bizzarely, young women compete with each other in a needle-threading competition, which is also held under moonlight! More about Chinese Valentine’s Day customs

In Japan, the whole Valentine’s thing is turned on it’s head compared with the West. There it is the women who give chocolates the men — all the men. It is the type of chocolate that reveals who she desires! ‘Giri-choco’ is ‘courtesy chocolate’ — cheap store-bought stuff, given out of courtesy. The lucky boys get yummy, homemade chocolates, the ‘honmei-choko’! More about Japanese Valentine’s Day customs

You can find out more about Valentine’s traditions around the world here.