Monday, February 13, 2006

valentines day

left for work extra early in case of bad traffic conditions. got to long island around 8:45 a.m. and didn't leave until 10:15p.m. no time for breaks. that's over 13 hours of standing on my feet making flower arrangements, running back and forth to take orders, etc.

most of the orders were generic- dozen red roses in a vase. i lost track of how many i put together. at some point, i went into auto-pilot and was just churning them out. . .but all i can say is if i don't see another red rose for another year, i will be a happy woman!

i feel that long stemmed roses are overrated. . .there are so many more beautiful and exotic flowers. . .

in any case, the most annoying things about working at a florist on valentine's day:

- men that place orders the day of valentine's day

-tacky/boring generic arrangements or overly specific ones (give the floral designer some freedom to work and we will surprise you with a unique arrangement)

-cheesy messages

-walk-in customers that expect you to finish an arrangement in 10 minutes

-customers that are suprised when the cost of roses have doubled (don't blame us, demand is high and supply is limited- wholesale prices have doubled)

ok. enough ranting. i need my rest for valentine's day.

1 comment:

Rockenheimer said...

Good morning! Happy V Day, V; and I know you've been looking forward to this day for months now.

About cheesy messages:

Men care not about messages, and even less about cheesy ones. The flowers are supposed to convey the message, which makes writing one, redundant. As for the cheese factor, we could do without it, but it's been our experience that the woman expect it, and will let you know if you disappoint in that respect. One year, in the obligatory St. V card, I wrote down "Get well soon Ernie." Gag. To her credit, The Wife got it, but she gently pointed out that the "cornier the card the better" - her words.

Rewind about seven Earth years ago: a girlfriend's birthday. Rockenheimer gets her the cake, the balloons, flowers, thoughtful gift that says "I love you" and keeps on giving - the whole ball o' wax. But for a card, I got her the goofy type. The funny haw haw type - not the ones with the half naked ladies in leather on the front or anything like that, for we are not crass and tasteless. I remember to this day the expression of disappointment on her face as she absent-mindedly browsed over the card and put it down. Wan smile. "Very nice. Thank you."

Never again. It's corn they want. It's corn they shall get.