Lynn Klavetter
I spent Valentine’s weekend working in a floral shop and observed some interesting behaviors as I was selling roses and arrangements to various consumers.
First I noticed that some guys acted as if they were either too cool or embarrassed to be buying flowers. I would ask them if I could help them and their response would be a quiet, “um … yeah … I … ahhh … (looking down at the floor) … need to buy some flowers for my girlfriend.” Maybe these guys were just embarrassed because they didn’t know very much about floral arrangements, but that’s nothing to be embarrassed about; that’s why the floral shops are fully staffed.
Second there were a variety of attitudes about paying for the flowers. While some guys didn’t hesitate when they heard the price of a dozen roses, others looked like the purchase was going to break them. Some consumers asked why prices were so high, and while the easy economic answer to everything “supply and demand” seemed to satisfy some, the facial expressions from others showed they didn’t agree.
I realize not everyone is made of money, and as far as college students – almost no one. But for the guys who bought what they could easily afford, be it a single rose or a dozen, they walked away looking excited to give their sweethearts flowers. And as for the guys that decided how many roses to buy in anguish of the prices, a thick sense of obligation filled the air. As one would leave, I only hoped that he would be able to smile when he gave the roses to his date instead of re-checking the dent the purchase made in his wallet.
Related posts:
Follow Us!