The Opposite of Japan!? The 'Self-Celebrated Birthday' I Experienced in Europe

Birthdays in Europe: A Day to Express Gratitude, Not a Day to Be Celebrated

One of the first things that surprised me when I started living in Europe was that the 'guest of honor' on their birthday is the busiest person.
In Japan, a birthday is a day when family and friends celebrate the person of the hour. However, in Europe, it is standard for the birthday person to bake a cake, bring it to the office, and serve it to everyone.

At the company in Belgium where I worked, there were about 50 employees. Whenever it was someone's birthday, an email would arrive in the morning.
'I turned [age] today! I baked a cake, so please come to the break room and have some!'
Along with such cheerful messages, homemade cakes, cookies, and bread would be laid out.
Since days like that happened two or three times a month, the Belgian office was always friendly and lively.

That said, when my turn came for the first time, I felt heavy-hearted.
I cook, but I am a complete beginner at baking sweets.
Thinking, 'Why does the guest of honor have to make the cake!?', I spent until 2:00 AM finishing a baked cheesecake.
Honestly, it didn't look very Instagrammable, but the taste wasn't bad at all.

The next morning, when I was told 'This is delicious!' at the office, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment.

I think that in Belgium, a birthday is considered a day to share the joy of being born with those around you and to express your gratitude to them.
You treat others as a way of saying 'thank you for everything' to your family and colleagues.
I find that attitude of taking the initiative to show gratitude, rather than waiting to be celebrated by someone else, to be very European.

In Japan, the person being celebrated is the star, and sometimes you feel a bit self-conscious wondering, 'How should I return the favor?'
But here, people take the initiative, saying, 'Thanks everyone! I'm treating you today!'
That feels much more relaxed and, above all, positive.

Now, I've come to enjoy baking my own cake on my birthday and inviting friends over.
My birthday has changed from a day to 'be celebrated' into a day to 'express gratitude.'
I feel like, encouraged a little by European customs, I've become able to celebrate life's milestones in a way that is more true to myself.