To be irritated by receiving flowers

[DappledThings]

Firstly let be clear I did politely thank the sender, I'm not terrible. But I was sent flowers in the post yesterday and my only reaction was annoyance.

I don't own a vase so had to find a jug big enough for them. Loads of random wrapping that makes a big mess, loads of water in the wrapping that I didn't know about so flooded the table, spilt half the packet of the food liquid stuff which is very sticky, couldn't cut through the thick stems with first pair of scissors and had to use a knife.

Then they last a little while and don't even look that nice, and once they are past their best there's smelly, slimy water to deal with a drippy bunch of dead plant matter to chuck away.

I would happily never be sent or given flowers ever again. Just me or anyone else not like them?

[DappledThings]

What do you think about fake flowers by the way OP

I did have a couple of those for a while till they got a bit grubby. Wouldn't rush to replace them.

[slartibarti]

What adult doesn’t own a vase?!

I don't. I love to see flowers growing outside where they're supposed to be.
Inside in a vase where I have to watch them slowly dying. No thanks.

[thecatsthecats]

True. The fake lilies in the bathroom look awfully dusty, though the fake tulips in the kitchen fool a lot of people and manage to deflect dust!

[LillianBland]

I love flowers, but I only love them in the garden or in pots. Cut flowers, dying in a vase, depresses me. There’s something very sad about about taking something into your house, because it’s beautiful, but knowing that you’ve actually shortened it’s life.

I may be feeling slightly sentimental, this morning.

[ThickFast]

Not into them either. It’s a load of faff and then they die. And some of them are very un environmentally friendly too.

[emmathedilemma]

perhaps you should have taken them round to an elderly neighbour or care home how might have been grateful for the thoughtful gift that someone took time and money to send you.

[PickAChew]

Last time I was sent flowers, it was a beautiful bouquet and most of it lasted over a week...

And my eyes streamed the entire time it was in the house.

[FleurDaxeny]

What do you think about fake flowers by the way OP?

dust trap.

[DappledThings]

perhaps you should have taken them round to an elderly neighbour or care home how might have been grateful for the thoughtful gift that someone took time and money to send you.

Going by a lot of other threads if I'd tried that I think I'd have had a load of horrified looks and assumptions I was trying to hand over a bouquet of carefully selected bunches of coronavirus.

[sonjadog]

I agree with you OP! I get flowers quite often through work and I don't really appreciate them. I do appreciate the gesture though, so not all bad.

[MintyCedric]

I love fresh flowers but can't have them as I have indoor cats.

If I get given any I am invariably delighted though and just put them in my bedroom out of the way.

Hate houseplants though. One of my colleagues is hugely into gardening and despite me having mentioned (in context at appropriate times) on several occasions that I dislike them and can never keep them alive, she gives me a houseplant every single birthday, which I can't help but feel 'meh' about.

(And no, not a single one has survived in four years! The last one was actually lovely and cat friendly. The cats weren't so keen though and ate it).

[Dagnabit]

I’m with you, OP - waste of money in my opinion!

[Pussycatinboots]

@FleurDaxeny

There was a thread about gifts not long ago (probably more than one thread if you are bothered)

half the posters couldn't stand food hampers
decorative objects are a massive no
drinks are not well received..
the list goes on.

It's impossible to buy a small gift that will be universally enjoyed.
And still, there are people complaining about gift lists who save time, faff and ensure you get the right thing.

You can't win... and no giving gifts in many occasions is not acceptable either

OP you just need more practice with flowers, and get rid of them before they get rotten.

Adopt a donkey instead?

other animals are available...
(Chester Zoos otters and red pandas were fab a couple of years ago )

[Beautiful3]

I hate receiving cut flowers, as I hate watching them die quickly. Much prefer plants!

[burdog]

I love flowers. Couldn't care less about the faff, environmental impact or that they look rubbish after a few days. More flowers please.

[CottonHeadedNinyMuggins]

I'm with you OP, most of the women in our family love buying and/or receiving flowers but my gran, mum and I don't (or didn't sadly in the case of my gran)

My gran buried 2 children and said she'd seen enough flowers to last herself a lifetime and hated them - passed it onto my mum too.

I like lilies and roses but I don't want any in my house and I CBA to garden, especially as I have pretty vicious hayfever, so happy enough on the rare occasion I see them out and about in other peoples gardens.

Even the cheapest decent bouquets are roughly £25-30 + A lot more things I'd rather spend that money on than something that dies and makes me sneeze and my eyes itch and swell.

[DownToTheSeaAgain]

I'm with you OP. If I am ever given them so start thinking about how I am going to squish them to fit in the compost bin in a few days time.

Nice gesture. Totally lost on me.

[MamaFirst]

Lol wow. I've had flowers in the post a few times and have never ever made the messes you describe. Erm I have no words for you. Other than... Get a grip?

[Bertucci]

I just counted my vases. 33!

[OrangeCinnamon]

I like buying myself flowers
..often a cheap bunch of Alstroemeria will do me for weeks. If I get sent some they usually involve those big Stargazer lillies that give me a headache so I kind of get you.

But it is the thought that counts really, it"s just nice to be thought of sometimes.

[DappledThings]

I just counted my vases. 33!
Wowzers! Are they mostly on display or stored somewhere? That's a serious collection.

[AuntieMarys]

I love a house full of flowers. I currently have 9 vases full all over the house.

[FleurDaxeny]

Adopt a donkey instead?

other animals are available...
(Chester Zoos otters and red pandas were fab a couple of years ago grin)

I think that went into the "virtue signalling" gift category on that thread 😂

[HowFastIsTooFast]

I love flowers, but would rather a £5 bunch from a supermarket than a £40 hand-tied bouquet (unless it's a really special occasion) as the amount of money for something that lasts a week makes me squirm.

DP was gently advised of this after the first time he had a beautiful bunch delivered to my work, I was extremely grateful and absolutely delighted with them but didn't want him to make that kind of extravagance a habit.