What’s so strange about German flowers?

Germans love flowers. When they are invited to your home, flowers are an appropriate gift. There are customs regarding the color and quantity of flowers to carry. Impress your host by following the rules.

An invitation to a German house is an honor. Wine or flowers are the best gifts. Let’s go with the flowers. There are a lot of florists in Germany. They are called Blumenhandlers.

Please note store hours. Until 2004, the German government strictly managed retail hours until handing them over to the states. Flower shops will generally be open until 6-7pm, 6-7pm The exception is Thursday night, when retailers offer longer hours, and Sunday, when most businesses are closed .

Buy the flowers early. The Germans open and close on time. In my experience, a last minute shopper who arrives close to closing time will not feel welcome.

Be sensitive to colors:

• Red is the color of romance. His hostess may blush, but not the host;
• Carnations means mourning;
• Lilies and chrysanthemums are for funerals.

Your best option is yellow roses. Ask the florist to wrap it as a gift, or “Würden Sie das bitte als Geschenk verpacken?” If they are not gift wrapped, remove the wrapping before presenting them to the hostess.

The most important thing is that a dozen roses do not work in Germany or in many European countries. Always give an odd number of flowers. The exception is 13, an unfortunate number in Germany as in other countries.

I asked my German colleagues where the odd number of flowers rule came from. One perspective is that an odd number of flowers is easier to arrange. Others believe that it is a norm or rule. Germans tend to adopt most of the rules, whether or not they make sense to other countries.

Everything is ready: an odd number of yellow roses, except 13, specially wrapped by the florist. Smiling hosts and no broken rules. Wunderbar!