Poppies, Pepero and Pointlessness

Up until a few years ago, November 11th was only one thing, and it was fairly important to me. More so now, with old classmates enlisting, and even my own sister joining the reserves, Remembrance Day is a day where I think about those serving now, and the people who have served my country before.

When I first moved to Japan, I felt naked at the beginning of November, not having my poppy on my jacket for the first time ever. I tried to teach my kids about it there, but it was a little difficult to explain, especially since the way Japan teaches WWI and WWII history is questionable at the best of times.

When I moved to Korea, I was expecting something along the same lines. I know they have their own days for veterans and remembrance, so I expected the 11th here to be just another day.

When I walked into my local E-Mart on the 10th though, I was in for a complete and total shock. It looked like Valentines Day had thrown up on my favourite grocery store. I asked my friend who I was with, “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!” (In exactly that fashion, too.)

She laughed and explained: It’s Pepero Day.

Pepero, also known as pocky to most people, is a cookie stick covered in chocolate. They’re nice snacks, and I use to love them way back in the day, but it’s been a long time since I’ve bought a box for myself. The logic behind this holiday? It’s November 11th. Aka, 11/11. Which apparently looks like 4 sticks of pepero.

I’m pretty good with hokey commercial things, but there is something about holidays that have nothing to to with ANYTHING that annoy me just a little. I know that people can say that about most holidays now, but they have a history other than “Look, we can sell things!” Especially when it falls on a day that is quite important in other countries for much more somber occasions.

That being said, I still bought little boxes of chocolate (I did refuse to get pepero though, just to stick it to the man :D) for all my students, and was floored when one of my parents came in with a GIANT box of pepero for me.

Now… what to do with them all….