Casual — to friend
Cultural · Seasonal
You
日本のクリスマスは、カップルが過ごすロマンチックな夜というイメージが強いんですよ。
にほんのクリスマスは、カップルがすごすロマンチックなよるというイメージがつよいんですよ。
In Japan, Christmas has a strong image as a romantic evening for couples.
Romaji: Nihon no Kurisumasu wa, kappuru ga sugosu romanchikku na yoru to iu imeeji ga tsuyoi n desu yo. / Reply Romaji: Sou nan da! Dewa, hinmitsude deki ga chigau ne.
Reply
そうなんだ！じゃあ、雰囲気が違うね。
そうなんだ！じゃあ、ふんいきがちがうね。
Is that so! So the feel of it is quite different then.
Gesture & etiquette
A warm, slightly amused tone suits this cultural comparison — it's a charming difference. This is excellent conversation material between Japanese and non-Japanese friends during the holiday season.
Unlike the family-centered Western Christmas, Japanese Christmas culture was shaped largely by commercial marketing (especially KFC's famous 'Christmas Chicken' campaign from 1974). Christmas Eve is treated like Valentine's Day in Japan — a night for couples. Christmas is not a national holiday, and most people work on December 25th.