Singles' Day has evolved and changed across countries, from a day to love and care for yourself, to an occasion to find a partner.
Singles Day, November 11, is a special day for those who are not married or have no partner. However, the way this holiday is celebrated in each country has its own characteristics.
Singles Day in China
Singles' Day in China originated in the 1990s, when a group of students at Nanjing University decided to choose November 11, with the number 1 symbolizing loneliness, as a day to celebrate single people.
Initially, this holiday was just a small event, but since 2009, when Alibaba - a large Chinese e-commerce corporation began to turn this day into a shopping event, Singles' Day has grown and is considered "The world's biggest shopping festival".
This is not only an occasion for singles to buy their favorite products, but also a consumer festival with "huge" spending. On this day, lonely people often give gifts to their loved ones or to friends who are still single.
In addition to shopping activities, Singles' Day is also an opportunity for singles to gather and have fun with friends and family, participating in entertainment activities such as eating, watching movies, or meeting and connecting.
Singles Day in Japan
In Japan, Singles' Day is not as prominent as in China, but it is still noticed by young people, especially in big cities like Tokyo.
Some Japanese people choose this day to express their desire for a partner or simply to enjoy the holiday in their own way. Singles' Day is often considered the biggest occasion of the year for singles to seek opportunities to make friends, meet and get to know the opposite sex in the land of the rising sun.
Japanese people tend to view this day as an occasion to relax, enjoy personal pleasures, or participate in fun and recreational activities with friends. Shops, cafes, cinemas and amusement parks often hold special events for singles.
An interesting thing in Japan is that on this occasion, many single people also choose to make gifts for themselves as a reward after a long year of work.
Singles Day in Korea
In Korea, November 11 is not Singles' Day, but the people of the land of kimchi celebrate this day on April 14 every year under the name Black Day. This is a day dedicated to singles, where they gather to eat black noodles (Jajangmyeon), a traditional Korean dish.
Although the holiday is not as prominent as other holidays, it has become an indispensable part of Korean youth culture.
April 14 is not only an occasion for single people to celebrate their freedom, but also a day to express a little regret and loneliness, when they have no one to share with on Valentine's Day (February 14) or White Day (March 14). However, many young people still maintain an optimistic spirit, love life because on this occasion, single people will gather and create happy memories together.
Singles Awareness Day in America
Singles Awareness Day (or Singles Appreciation Day) is held every year on February 15. It is an unofficial holiday celebrated by single people together.
This day serves as a complement to Valentine's Day for those who are not married or in a romantic relationship. It is a day to celebrate love in all its forms, whether it is between friends, family, or just yourself.
In the US, young people tend to see Singles' Day as an opportunity to express personal freedom and self-care.
Singles in the US often use the day to do things they enjoy, such as traveling, watching movies, enjoying a nice meal, or participating in relaxing activities. The positive messages about self-love have created a unique holiday that is associated with encouraging people to take care of their mental and physical health.
Singles Day in the UK
In the UK, National Singles Day is celebrated on 11 March. The day was initiated by a group of dating and marriage experts to help single people accept their loneliness and plan for a change.
Although the way it is celebrated and the meaning of the holiday varies, National Singles' Day encourages people to respect and love themselves, as well as creates opportunities to connect and have fun on a special day.
The development of this day reflects a major trend in modern society, which is the acceptance and celebration of the independence and freedom of each individual.
Singles Day in Vietnam
In Vietnam, Singles' Day is not yet an official holiday, but it is increasingly known by young people and celebrated following international trends.
Events and activities for singles began to be held at cafes, cinemas, and entertainment venues. Special promotions and discounts were also applied by stores to attract this customer segment.
In particular, young Vietnamese people also consider Singles Day an opportunity to express their independence and self-reliance. Many people choose this day to take care of themselves, participate in interesting activities and create opportunities to meet new friends.
However, Singles' Day in Vietnam has not really exploded as strongly as in China, and it is still a holiday of experimental and exploratory nature.
TH (according to VTC News)