Flower Power

[Brad and Vika 129]

This is a cultural thing, in my opinion, and not designed as a comment on any person (except the two mentioned).

OK folks, here it is, from two marraiges and twenty years of one-sided, self-serving, empirical observation. I welcome any disagreement or suggested adjustment to the scale. These are generalizations only - and no flowers were harmed in the production of this scoring technology, unless you count their eventual death.

American Woman

One dozen roses = 1 point

Eastern European Woman

One dozen roses = 1 point for thinking about her + 1 point for buying roses + 1 point for any reasonably sincere presentation of roses + 2 bonus points for every one of her girlfriends that sees the roses (without limit) + 1 extra bonus point for every girlfriend who sees the roses while she is carrying them, and for every compliment she gets while carrying them.

I use roses only as an example here, as it really doesn't seem to matter to Vika what kind of flowers she receives. My ex wife would have clipped me half a point for flowers that were not her favs though.

[journey4life 0]

is this what you have to do to earn points ? is it really worth it

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

This is a cultural thing, in my opinion, and not designed as a comment on any person (except the two mentioned).

OK folks, here it is, from two marraiges and twenty years of one-sided, self-serving, empirical observation. I welcome any disagreement or suggested adjustment to the scale. These are generalizations only - and no flowers were harmed in the production of this scoring technology, unless you count their eventual death.

American Woman

One dozen roses = 1 point

Eastern European Woman

One dozen roses = 1 point for thinking about her + 1 point for buying roses + 1 point for any reasonably sincere presentation of roses + 2 bonus points for every one of her girlfriends that sees the roses (without limit) + 1 extra bonus point for every girlfriend who sees the roses while she is carrying them, and for every compliment she gets while carrying them.

I use roses only as an example here, as it really doesn't seem to matter to Vika what kind of flowers she receives. My ex wife would have clipped me half a point for flowers that were not her favs though.

True enough, but remember Brad, odd numbers for flowers. Give her 11 and put the other one on her dashboard, so far it works for me

And to answer another...YES it is always worth it. Normally 500% payback or so. In summer, Alla prefers live plants she can plant outside.

[Martyshk 137]

True enough, but remember Brad, odd numbers for flowers. Give her 11 and put the other one on her dashboard, so far it works for me

And to answer another...YES it is always worth it. Normally 500% payback or so. In summer, Alla prefers live plants she can plant outside.

I would seriously love to see what happens when a (not their fault) guy from America gives his RUB girl flowers for the first time, and gives an even number because he doesn't know any better

I bet hilarity would ensue

[Brad and Vika 129]

I would seriously love to see what happens when a (not their fault) guy from America gives his RUB girl flowers for the first time, and gives an even number because he doesn't know any better

I bet hilarity would ensue

Honestly, when I wrote the post above, I forgot about the odd number rule. I usually give her different arrangements, but don't ever count flowers here in the good old US of A. And yes, she has enthusiastically received an even dozen, and says she understands that there is a difference in custom and, in typical show of Ukrainian practicality, says "why waste an extra beautiful flower?".

is this what you have to do to earn points ? is it really worth it

Yes it is worth it, and no, I don't have to.

[slim 1,533]

I wouldn't know because I don't buy flowers anymore. But back when I did, the count didn't matter, only that I'd bought them. They were well received, but only because I was in the dog house at the time.

[drbilldc 0]

This is a cultural thing, in my opinion, and not designed as a comment on any person (except the two mentioned).

OK folks, here it is, from two marraiges and twenty years of one-sided, self-serving, empirical observation. I welcome any disagreement or suggested adjustment to the scale. These are generalizations only - and no flowers were harmed in the production of this scoring technology, unless you count their eventual death.

American Woman

One dozen roses = 1 point

Eastern European Woman

One dozen roses = 1 point for thinking about her + 1 point for buying roses + 1 point for any reasonably sincere presentation of roses + 2 bonus points for every one of her girlfriends that sees the roses (without limit) + 1 extra bonus point for every girlfriend who sees the roses while she is carrying them, and for every compliment she gets while carrying them.

I use roses only as an example here, as it really doesn't seem to matter to Vika what kind of flowers she receives. My ex wife would have clipped me half a point for flowers that were not her favs though.

YES!!!! Brad your return on investment mathematics are correct!.

Bill

[Nasturtium 500]

I wouldn't know because I don't buy flowers anymore. But back when I did, the count didn't matter, only that I'd bought them. They were well received, but only because I was in the dog house at the time.

Typical American male.

My husband is the first/only man to ever have bought me flowers, despite the fact that I had tried making it clear I liked/wanted them (in such ambiguous terms as "I love flowers, i wish you would buy me some"). I garden intensively and even live plants would have been good... I also collect houseplants so they would have worked.. but nothing. I was told they were "evidence of rampant over-commercialism" and that was that. I didn't care about the numbers or the type, either. I told my friend I was going to marry the first guy who finally got me flowers. So, I did! It was 3 roses, a monstera leaf, and a bit of gypsophilia. Since then, he also ordered flowers to be delivered for me at work for our anniversary, gave me birthday flowers, and recently.. I have noticed he has stopped. I'm still riding high on the 3 other times though, so I think 1 bouquet of flowers= about 2 years of total devotion from me. So, I think in about 6 months he is going to have to replenish.*

*disclaimer for those who feel I am perpetually serious-- his gifts don't actually run out of joy for me, and he doesn't actually need to replenish points.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Typical American male.

My husband is the first/only man to ever have bought me flowers, despite the fact that I had tried making it clear I liked/wanted them (in such ambiguous terms as "I love flowers, i wish you would buy me some"). I garden intensively and even live plants would have been good... I also collect houseplants so they would have worked.. but nothing. I was told they were "evidence of rampant over-commercialism" and that was that. I didn't care about the numbers or the type, either. I told my friend I was going to marry the first guy who finally got me flowers. So, I did! It was 3 roses, a monstera leaf, and a bit of gypsophilia. Since then, he also ordered flowers to be delivered for me at work for our anniversary, gave me birthday flowers, and recently.. I have noticed he has stopped. I'm still riding high on the 3 other times though, so I think 1 bouquet of flowers= about 2 years of total devotion from me. So, I think in about 6 months he is going to have to replenish.*

*disclaimer for those who feel I am perpetually serious-- his gifts don't actually run out of joy for me, and he doesn't actually need to replenish points.

A date of monumental importance in Eastern Europe (and so in our home) is International Women's Day - March 8. The most common gift is, guess what? In Ukraine, every woman gets congrats and flowers from men in her family (yep, all of 'em that are old enough to understand), and any other guy in her life, like boyfriend, colleague, boss, etc. Good occasion to score a few flowers if you can work it into a conversation

[mendeleev 68]

Its OK to get a dozen, or some other even number -- you just divide them between two or four vases. They get spread around the house that way, which can be even better.

[mox 298]

This is a cultural thing, in my opinion, and not designed as a comment on any person (except the two mentioned).

OK folks, here it is, from two marraiges and twenty years of one-sided, self-serving, empirical observation. I welcome any disagreement or suggested adjustment to the scale. These are generalizations only - and no flowers were harmed in the production of this scoring technology, unless you count their eventual death.

American Woman

One dozen roses = 1 point

Eastern European Woman

One dozen roses = 1 point for thinking about her + 1 point for buying roses + 1 point for any reasonably sincere presentation of roses + 2 bonus points for every one of her girlfriends that sees the roses (without limit) + 1 extra bonus point for every girlfriend who sees the roses while she is carrying them, and for every compliment she gets while carrying them.

I use roses only as an example here, as it really doesn't seem to matter to Vika what kind of flowers she receives. My ex wife would have clipped me half a point for flowers that were not her favs though.

But minus 3 points if they're not fresh.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I would seriously love to see what happens when a (not their fault) guy from America gives his RUB girl flowers for the first time, and gives an even number because he doesn't know any better

I bet hilarity would ensue

Good question. I was dating a woman in Ukraine shortly after arriving there and stopped by a street vendor on the way to meet her one evening and asked for a "dozen roses". The old woman selling them was sure I was completely out of my head! She scolded me mildly and informed me of the taboo of even numbers, then filled me on on the secrets...

"Buy odd numbers, she said...13 is better than 11" I presume because she sells two more flowers.

OR...buy 12, then break them into two bouquets and "give one girl 7 and the other 5" I guess it was assumed I would have TWO women to give flowers too...oh well, it WAS Ukraine and it WAS Odessa.

So this old woman saved me that particular "faux pas" but I made many others. Such makes for an interesting life.

I went with Alla once to visit one of her clients. I waited outside while she went in. It was a nice spring day and I took a seat on the steps outside the building, a newer building, pretty nice looking in contrast to a pretty run down area and just did a little people (girl) watching. When Alla finished she was escorted out by her client and simply walked right past me! Refused to acknowledge my existance. She was still talking to the client so I figured she didn't see me, but when he left her she walked briskly away down the sidewalk! I went after her and when we were a safe distance away she stopped and informed me how embarrased she was and that there was no way she was going to acknowledge she had any acquaitance to the "pork" sitting on the steps!!!!!! Oh, well, hey I opened windows on buses also!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

A date of monumental importance in Eastern Europe (and so in our home) is International Women's Day - March 8. The most common gift is, guess what? In Ukraine, every woman gets congrats and flowers from men in her family (yep, all of 'em that are old enough to understand), and any other guy in her life, like boyfriend, colleague, boss, etc. Good occasion to score a few flowers if you can work it into a conversation

OMG yes.

Two important dates..women's day and their birthday (even if they say the birthday is not important, IT IS) but women's day is major, like, shoot-you-in-the-eye-with-a-bazooka-if-you-forget major.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I wouldn't know because I don't buy flowers anymore. But back when I did, the count didn't matter, only that I'd bought them. They were well received, but only because I was in the dog house at the time.

Slim...maybe...

Anyway this thread inspired me yesterday to make a run down the mountain while Alla and Pasha were skiing to get some flowers. My medical recovery plants me in the lodge for the rest of the ski season so I thought...why not? OH YEAH!!!! Immediate return on investment lasting most of the night (hey...I am only restricted to no heavy lifting and no ski crashes! Everything else is a definite GO!) Buy her some flowers for old times sake.

[Martyshk 137]

OMG yes.

Two important dates..women's day and their birthday (even if they say the birthday is not important, IT IS) but women's day is major, like, shoot-you-in-the-eye-with-a-bazooka-if-you-forget major.

Ditto that. My present for her b-day is on the way to her at the moment. Because even though we are on the different sides of the pond, no way I'll miss it.

Women's day....well, we have this "joke"... I am sure I'd get punched in the crotch for saying that to any western woman lol....

So it goes like that "Be quiet, woman, your day is March 8th". It's not really a joke though :-P