Am I alone in having had foibles about giving a bunch of flowers to a man?
It’s only in relatively recent years that I came to realise that there is no reason in the world why a man would not appreciate a bunch of flowers as much and I would and I wondered why I had always thought that flowers would somehow be an inappropriate gift.
Do we see a bunch of flowers as being very feminine?
I’d never have had any qualms about giving a man a tree to plant but send a bunch of pink roses ~ dither-time.
What changed me in all of this was my father. For most of my life I had wrung my hands trying to get him suitable presents for different occasions and when I found a drawer full of unused ‘stuff’ ranging from fancy after-shave to perfect fountain pens, I realised that I had to change a losing game.
So, I took courage and bought him a huge bunch of sunflowers in honour of our mutual love of Van Gogh and he adored them. I must admit to hiding behind them as I gave them to him but thereafter I had no qualms about getting him flowers of all descriptions and he loved them all for their colour and often poetry, art or gardens that he associated them with. ( I can feel him looking over my shoulder as I write here with so many prepositions at the end of sentences! Don’t worry, Dad, I know I’m doing it and I haven’t gone totally astray.)
Since I saw Dad’s reaction, I’ve given flowers as gifts to a few men and they’ve been very well received ~ even pink roses. I must admit that I’d prefer to receive a gift of a shrub or seeds or bulbs ~ something that will last forever but there are times when a bunch of flowers is just what’s needed…
… and I suspect that men are no different to me/women on this.
What do you reckon?
SOCIAL BRIDGE ~ Jean Tubridy connecting with you from Ireland 
I have been giving men flowers for a number of years, so I guess I reckon it is a good idea. 🙂 My dad adores them, and I give them for all occasions and no occasions. I send them to Randy at work. Male friends and family get them on occasion, I suspect the trick might be whether we think he will be one to appreciate and enjoy it.
Hi Suz, I think you may be right about the ‘trick’ but I suspect one needs to err on the side of presuming they will be well received rather than the other way.
I think we’re beyond all that sexism about flowers. My mother loved flowers, but would rather receive a flowering plant she could put in her garden after the blooms fell off.
Sandy Penny, WritingMuse http://writingmuse.com/fresh-eyes-proofing.php http://sandypenny.com
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Hi Sandy, I’m interested that you think we’ve moved that far. Maybe we’re lagging behind in Ireland!
I must say I’m in your mother’s category as I find it awful to see flowers dying quickly. Having said that, I have lots of pressed roses in big books around the place.
While in Bangladesh, on my 60th birthday the soccer players I played with bought me a large bouquet of flowers!
Now this is an interesting one. Do you think it was a cultural thing? And I’m bursting to know how you felt about the flowers.
https://marlandphotos.com/2008/08/
I think it is cultural! Even one of you college students who worked at Pizza Hut, went out and bought me some flowers. We had showed up at Pizza Hut on my birthday! 🙂
Thanks so much for the link.
If it’s cultural, I hope it travels here!
I have had flowers bought for me by adults on three occasions. And loved them each time. I also get them from my daughters all the time.
David, this has been playing on my mind since I read it a few hours back and it has the makings of a novel. How I’d love to know who gave you the flowers and in what circumstances but I’ll happily just imagine and maybe write the story as I perceive it.
Wow, that’s lovely to hear, Jean. It makes me think/feel I shouldn’t tell you who sent me the flowers, in case it disappoints your perception.
I prefer bits for my motorbikes or cameras – I can send a list if you want 😀
Hi Robin, I love lists so fire ahead.
BTW, have you ever been given a bunch of roses?
Never 🙂
We’ll have to put that to rights!
I have never given flowers to a male..it just doesn’t seem the thing to do ..a plant,bush or tree would be more in line for me…I can see your point about gifts that end up in the closet or drawers..so a gift card or cash seems more appropriate for my giving to the males..if their interest isn’t in nature…
Hi Joni, interesting that you’ve got my kind of feelings about men and flowers (or at least the feelings I had before Dad and the sunflowers).
I agree Jean we somehow have this notion that men do have flowers for presents.
On reflection as i have grown older i have often thought of sending flowers to men but always have stopped short of the act… I don’t know why! 💜
Maybe this is the time to just DO it and not hold back. You might be very pleasantly surprised.
(I hope today unfolded okay for you and hubby?)
Yes if your experience with your dad is anything to go by you could be right !! ❤
Hubby has seen the dr, he now has antibiotics and an appointment to see an urologist 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
I hope the antibiotics kick in quickly and that the pair of you get to relax a bit. xxxx
Thank you Jean💜
You’re more than welcome and I’m keeping my fingers crossed still. x
Again thanks, the antibiotics should kick in soon, but unfortunately it’s not a cure💜
Hopefully they’ll reduce pain. It’s so hard to see those we love suffering.
Yes it is awful 💜💝❤️
With you in spirit! xx
Thank you💜
Depending on the man, I think flowers is a GREAT idea. When my guy turned a big number (50), a friend of ours who owns a flower shop gave him 50 red roses. WOW. He was overwhelmed, and will never forget that birthday present. I think women should be brave and give a bunch of flowers to a man they admire.
Pam, the very fact that you use the word ‘brave’ makes me smile. I ‘m all for giving flowers now. Maybe it’s age!
Or maybe it’s acquired wisdom. 🙂
Perhaps …
Yes, I guess it’s a great idea, especially if given thoughtfully and appropriately. Blokes tend to give them automatically – a good price from the garage shop or a few daffs from the side of the road. Or maybe that’s just me…
‘Blokes’ says it all when it comes to flower-giving, you tease!
I only did it once, Jean, and the recipient said it was ‘weird’. That learned me 😉
Sounds like the recipient needed to be ‘learned.’xx
I was young and not yet so mouthy!
Maybe time to try again with a different male.
Oh, he was many different males ago now 😉
Good way of putting it!!