Submitted Article
The Japanese Club
Japan’s love relationship is quite different from Western style. Every- thing starts from the act of kokuhaku. Kokuhaku literally means “confes- sion”, and it is an event of confess- ing your love to someone you like and asking to go out with you. The most basic way of confession is to say, “Sukidesu. Tsukiattekudasai.” “Sukidesu” simply means “I like you”, and “Tsukiattekudasai” can be translated to “Can we start seeing each other?” or “Can you be my girlfriend/ boyfriend?” If accepted, it marks the beginning of a “serious” boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.
After this confession, if you go out with another woman or man, it may be called “cheating” because after the kokuhaku you two have officially started being exclusive. Kokuhaku helps to make relationships clear from the beginning and also makes it easier to start dating. Because of this, you don’t need to have that awkward moment of asking “Are we serious about each other?” or “Are we exclu- sive?” or even “Do you love me?”
Also, Japanese Valentine’s Day is the only day for girls to confess their love to a certain boy by giving hand- made chocolates. Girls!! Let’s try this Japanese way of confession on this coming Valentine’s Day!
Spanish Tactics and Strategy poem
Mario Benedetti
The Spanish Club
Táctica y estrategia
Mi táctica es
mirarte aprender como eres quererte como eres
mi táctica es
hablarte y escucharte construir con palabras un puente indestructible
mi táctica es
quedarme en tu recuerdo
no sé cómo ni sé con qué pre-
texto
pero quedarme en ti
mi táctica es
ser franco y saber que eres franca y que no nos vendamos simula-
cros
para que entre los dos
no haya telón ni abismos
mi estrategia es
en cambio
más profunda y más simple
mi estrategia es
que un día cualquiera no sé cómo ni sé
con qué pretexto por fin me necesites
Translation
My tactic is to look at you To learn how you are Love you as you are
My tactic is to talk to you And listen to you
And construct with words An indestructible bridge
My tactic is to stay in your memory,
I don’t know how Nor with what pretext But stay within you
My tactic is to be honest
And know you are too
And that we don’t sell each other illusions
So that between us there is no curtain or
abyss
My strategy instead is
Deeper and simpler.
My strategy is that some day
I don’t know how, nor with what
pretext
That finally you need me!