Yep, Russia alone is 140m people (and Romania is like 15-20 I believe). Not like I am superstitious, but I never bought even numbers of flowers so not to be misunderstood. An exception is when there is “a lot” of flowers, then nobody cares.
From what I knew it’s because you bought an even number, kept one (that’s the important part) and offered the (now odd) bouquet. When your flower had wilted, you knew you could offer another one.
That would make sense ! When i heard about it, it was florists advising to buy an even number from the start, so the meaning of it probably got lost somewhere, but i like the explanation.
Well the way I did it when buying flowers as a kid was I’d go in, ask the price for whatever I wanted, and then ask for 2, and the florist would be like “oh you can’t have 2, evens are for funerals” so I’d say I don’t want just 1 just I want it to look like a bigger bouquet, and I only have pocket change for 2, and the florist being nice would throw in a 3rd (usually cheaper tbf) flower in for free :3
It’s like a whole hidden world :3… generally I think it depends a lot on the area and on the age group, and other factors, like this kind of superstition isn’t as common in younger people or in bigger cities from my anecdotal observations, so it’s really a flip of the coin if you’ve encountered it or not
I’m Lithuanian and I have an early childhood memory of gifting somebody four dandelions for birthday and my parents told me it should be an odd number of flowers for a gift. I don’t think I’ve heard it mentioned since, but it’s a thing. I don’t think most people would care either way, at worst a florist might have a shifty look if you buy an even number of flowers.
It’s the same in all post-soviet countries I think :3
Definitely is a thing in Estonia.
How it was explained to me in Slovakia is that even number goes on the grave.
Which sucks, because I like even numbers and dislike odd.
The same in Serbia
Yep, Russia alone is 140m people (and Romania is like 15-20 I believe). Not like I am superstitious, but I never bought even numbers of flowers so not to be misunderstood. An exception is when there is “a lot” of flowers, then nobody cares.
It is also present in France, i heard about never making an even bouquet, and judging by the internet, it’s because it’s also meant for funerals.
From what I knew it’s because you bought an even number, kept one (that’s the important part) and offered the (now odd) bouquet. When your flower had wilted, you knew you could offer another one.
That would make sense ! When i heard about it, it was florists advising to buy an even number from the start, so the meaning of it probably got lost somewhere, but i like the explanation.
Not a thing im hungary
It’s quite present here in Eastern Hungary. Countless times was asked by my older relatives if I made sure to buy odd numbers of roses for my gf
Budapesten még látni se láttam még ilyet…
Missing out, it was a great way to get extra free flowers as a kid lol :3
How do you know they weren’t originally budgeting on giving you 4 but dropped it down to 3?
Well the way I did it when buying flowers as a kid was I’d go in, ask the price for whatever I wanted, and then ask for 2, and the florist would be like “oh you can’t have 2, evens are for funerals” so I’d say I don’t want just 1 just I want it to look like a bigger bouquet, and I only have pocket change for 2, and the florist being nice would throw in a 3rd (usually cheaper tbf) flower in for free :3
Oh you’re a crafty one aren’t ya
:3c it’s a hustle
Unfortunately it only worked as a kid, as an adult you’re expected to manage your money yourself hah
（ 。ω ゜）
is that a thing in poland? never heard of it
My polish isn’t great, but if google translate did it’s job, it looks to be at least somewhat of a thing :3
seems you’re right! huh!
didn’t know there was so much flower lore
It’s like a whole hidden world :3… generally I think it depends a lot on the area and on the age group, and other factors, like this kind of superstition isn’t as common in younger people or in bigger cities from my anecdotal observations, so it’s really a flip of the coin if you’ve encountered it or not
nono it’s still good to at least be aware of, i know one of my grandmas is really superstitious and i wouldn’t want to upset her
Not in Lithuania. Edit: I hadn’t heard of it, but the person below corrected me, it exists but I just hadn’t heard of it.
I’m Lithuanian and I have an early childhood memory of gifting somebody four dandelions for birthday and my parents told me it should be an odd number of flowers for a gift. I don’t think I’ve heard it mentioned since, but it’s a thing. I don’t think most people would care either way, at worst a florist might have a shifty look if you buy an even number of flowers.
Nee, lietuvoj yra x3… man daug kartu teko susidurt su tuo :3