They work with every message
We often send a gift as a way to say "I Love You", "Forgive Me", "Congratulations" or "I Miss You". Whatever our words, flowers are the perfect vehicle for the message. Jeannette Haviland-Jones, researcher and director of the Human Emotions Lab at Rutgers, examined what the gifts we choose say about who we are, and whether they influence how we are perceived. She found that those who give flowers are seen as successful, caring and emotionally intelligent people. That's something to remember, the next time we're picking out a present.
the results at a glance
- People who give flowers are seen as happy, strong, capable and courageous
- Flower givers appear more emotionally intelligent: they give the impression that they know how to express their feelings and can take the time to understand the feelings of others
- They are seen as appreciative of beauty and nature
"Our findings show that the gifts you give can influence and change what people think about you," says Haviland-Jones. "The findings are especially important for people looking to strengthen friendships and romances, but also for business relationships."
flowers induce genuine smiles
At the end of the nineteenth century, the French neurologist Guillaume Duchenne discovered that spontaneous laughter causes the muscles around the eyes to contract. That's why a sincere smile is also called a Duchenne smile. When you gift your bestie a bunch of flowers, you can be sure that her smile is sincere. Research shows that flowers cause a Duchenne smile in women. And the effect of flowers continues long after the moment of giving! Three days after receiving flowers, women still feel better than before. Flowers have a positive influence on your mood both immediately and in the longer term.
SAY IT WITH FLOWERS
Our love for flowers stems from the human need to connect with nature, something that we all need to be healthy and happy. So if you want to laugh more, you know what to do! Let your feelings speak with flowers or use flowers to speak when words aren't enough. Let us know how you're bringing more flowers into your life on Instagram and Facebook with the hashtags #funnyhowflowersdothat and #weneedmoreflowers.
