peacetraveler22 | Does size matter?

Size plays an integral role in the process of many things, and it's the foundation for many human insecurities. This becomes apparent if you ever work with or know a male who suffers from the very real psychological disorder known as "Napoleon complex" or "short man syndrome." I work with such a man in my law firm, who suffers with some severe insecurities due to his lack of stature. His aggressive personality is a complete nightmare!

Then, we have the stereotypical worries about penis size. These too are real, as I once dated a man on the small side and this issue came up frequently - from HIM, not me. But in Russia, Ukraine and other former Soviet bloc countries, it seems men must worry about the size of something else - the bouquet! :)) I've recently noticed a trend on Instagram where Russian women post photos of themselves with huge bouquets of flowers. I even read an article about the phenomenon entitled "Russian Women with Shitloads of Flowers." :) I think today is the most popular day for flowers in your region of the world, so it seems like a good time to discuss the topic.

1. I love flowers, and would rather have a bouquet any day rather than jewelry or more lavish, expensive items. I remember noticing so many small flower shops during my first visit to Kyiv, and later when I traveled through Russia and other former USSR countries. It gave me the impression that men in this part of the world give flowers much more often than American men, and this is good! Yet my female friends from Russia told me this is a false assumption, at least with the younger generations which are less attached to tradition.
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2. Even my lovely blogging colleague

inamora recently posted a photo of a big bouquet her husband gave her "just because." So many flowers! I didn't count the number of roses, but it's several dozen.

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3. One more example. :)

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4. I think a bouquet like this one is most common in the USA. They can be ordered online and delivered, or delivery can be arranged from a local flower shop. It's more expensive to order online (around $50 - $60), and the quality isn't as good. So, I always use local flower shops when I order flowers for family members and friends. The size is much larger, quality better, and the cost less (around $35 - $40 for midsize bouquet).

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5. This is a photo of the last bouquet I received. Very bright and beautiful, but not grandiose in size.

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6. I think flowers are much less rooted in dating and romantic traditions in the USA, and we don't have as many rules. I remember my Ukrainian friend explained to me that you should never give an even number of flowers to females, as this is only done at times of death or condolence. This is the reason almost all foreign dating sites for men looking for Ukrainian or Russian brides will have a special tutorial on flower customs in this part of the world. For instance, look here on the Brides of Ukraine site. A whole section on dating and flower customs. Or this guide for Western men on "How to Impress a Russian Woman." The last section talks about flowers.

For me personally, size does not matter. I can vividly recall the most sweet and romantic gesture of the man I lived with for several years. It was a Wednesday morning, I entered my car to go to work, and on the passenger seat there was a card and a single red rose. The card had a funny depiction that said "I love you, and want to have your babies." I liked it because it was so unexpected, random and thoughtful. I think it's always better to receive such romantic gifts and surprises out of the blue, rather than on holidays which were created by consumerism and greedy retailers.

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So men, do you feel pressure to deliver huge bouquets? Or, are these articles and online information simply wrong and written for sensationalist purposes? I can't believe Russian women are so demanding. :) Would you be shamed if you brought a single red rose to a date, rather than a big bouquet?

Ladies - I congratulate you all on 8 March! I can't really understand the impact or importance of this holiday from afar, as it plays no role in the life of most American women, and the day is not a holiday, or even widely recognized. Good women, like good men, must always be celebrated and appreciated! :)