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FLOWER GIVERS PERCEIVED AS SUCCESSFUL, CARING: STUDY
Maybe it really is better to give than to receive, particularly if what you’re giving is flowers.
Research conducted at Rutgers University finds that the gifts we give say a lot about who we are and how we are perceived.
"The research reveals that those who send flowers, in comparison to other gifts, are viewed as successful, caring and
emotionally intelligent people,” according to the Society of American Florists' Web site www.aboutflowers.com.
"Our findings show that you can influence and change what people think of you in a significant way through the gifts you give,"
said Jeannette Haviland-Jones, director of Rutgers' Human Emotions Lab. "That news is particularly important to those
interested in enhancing friendships and romances, even business relationships."
In previous research, Haviland-Jones found that flowers create instant delight and happiness and increase enjoyment and life
satisfaction. Female study participants who received a gift of flowers responded with “true smiles” and reported positive
moods lasting for days. The presence of flowers also led to increased contact with family and friends.
"Each bloom has the potential to put a smile on our face and sway our opinion of a friend, colleague or loved one,"
Haviland-Jones said. "That's powerful."
One person who believes in flower power is M.J. Ryan, author
of the "Random Acts of Kindness" book series. She teaches
individuals how gratitude and generosity can result in greater
happiness, health and feelings of human connectedness.
"A successful person is not necessarily someone with a lot of
money and material goods, but rather someone who is in
tune with people and knows how to touch their hearts," she
said. "I can think of no other item besides flowers that evokes
such positive feelings and perceptions for both the giver
and the recipient."
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