This is a cautionary tale for women who, like me, live in hope that one day their other halves will bowl them over with a ridiculously romantic gesture. Now I’m not a sentimental chick – I don’t expect my dinner cooked every night, flowers delivered to my office or foot massages when I get home from work.
As sad as it sounds, it’s things like him doing the laundry or cleaning the kitchen from time to time that make me smile.
But last week I bought myself a really nice glass vase and, after saying to my other half ‘It would be really nice if you bought me some flowers to put in this vase’ around four times I realised the obvious hints weren’t working and said outright to him: ‘Please buy me some flowers to put in my new vase’.
The vase has been sat empty next to the TV for eight days now and I expect it will stay that way until later this month when my friend will probably buy me flowers for my birthday.
That’s how rubbish men are!
Flowerless
Dubai
February 14, 2012 at 11:40 am
Why can’t you buy your own flowers if filling your vase is so imporant?
February 14, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Rubbish men are?? Are we generalizng a bit here and taking this over the top?? Maybe it’s your rubbish attitude.
February 14, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Hi Flowerless,
Why is it so important for you to drop hints to your other half, I mean that only happens in a beginning of a relationship. Why can’t you just come out and say it in the beginning? We men don’t ignore these signs, we just don’t acknowledge them when it becomes a sort of nagging.
Even though you say you are not a sentimental chick, I disagree with that, every woman has a inner child inside her, some let them out and some not so often. It’s completely justified for you feeling this way, but not all men are like that.
Appreciate your other half for the things he does at home, if he doesn’t, appreciate what he does at work. Learn more about what he likes and acknowledge it from time to time.
He would see you making an effort, so would he then. I hope this might change your opinion about men later.
How I wish sometimes, when in a relationship, soul mates should always communicate and understand each other, without any filters. Accept each other with their faults and always be open for a discussion, instead of running away from confrontation.
February 14, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Your husband won’t put flowers in your empty vase? Is that meant to be a euphemism?
February 14, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Haha!
February 14, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Aah, Flowerless, I share your sorrow. As much as I knew it was too much to hope for, I couldn’t help thinking I would get some flowers myself. Like you, I have on more occasion than one, clearly and loudly proclaimed that I would love fresh flowers any time at all! ANY TIME AT ALL! If that weren’t clear enough, I have it stuck up on the top of my wish list in the kitchen. I don’t know if it’s just my husband or men in general, but is it too much to ask for such a simple pleasure of life? I take a little comfort in knowing there are others out there like me.
I was tempted to buy flowers for myself today but couldn’t bring myself to sink that low. Sob!
February 14, 2012 at 3:05 pm
So sad to know there are so many unsatisfied flowerless ladies out there.
February 14, 2012 at 3:14 pm
I got him a gift, I dont expect one back…. But the look on his face when he loved his valentine was worth it!!!
February 14, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Cool, luv ur username, “hasadnocflowers”.
)
February 15, 2012 at 11:10 am
I was perfectly satisfied with my single rose from adnoc…. he uses his gift everyday which when I see him enjoying makes me happy…
February 15, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Good for you.
February 14, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Writing to a newspaper to complain about your husband is NOT going to work…Instead of moaning get your flowers yourself and have a talk with your husband. His love is not enough for you ? Or you prefer flowers ?
February 14, 2012 at 4:28 pm
are you talking about flowers ? or is it just a weird metaphor ?
in both cases , if he’s your other half , he should get you the “flowers” when you ask him for em straight away , if not , that means that YOU two have a problem , and it doesn’t mean that men are rubbish .
February 14, 2012 at 10:54 pm
This kind of letter making it in an online newspaper makes my day
My wife once said, she love me for being consistent – giving flowers every month (monthsary) for 4 years now. I guess Consistency is key. Was he used to bring you flowers and it just changed? Bring up a conversation to look back how it was before… the rest is magic.
February 15, 2012 at 11:36 am
My husband is consistant… hence why I did not expect any flowers so I was ecstatic by my adnoc rose
February 16, 2012 at 10:20 am
Thanks for starting my day off on such a light topic for a change. Considering all the horrible things that are going on in this crazy world, to read your complaint made me choke on my coffee from laughing so hard.
However, why would one stay with someone who you seem to not be thrilled with? And it’s not about the flowers (IMHO), it’s about feeling appreciated and loved. It’s about someone showing you, with small gestures, that they are happy to have you in their life. IMHO many men (not all), just don’t get it. After being with the same woman for a while, they just assume all’s ok and why put any effort into a relationship…of course, both partners are responsible, cause there’s obviously something lacking in the relationship, and that something could be “love”. Lack of interest, just feeling bored with one another…so even an adnoc flower would be ignored, as it’s the why bother attitude.
Firstly, after reading your letter, I so appreciate all the more, being single lol. As a single woman, I often hear on days like Valentine’s Day, (and just in general here!), “oh, how will you spend your Valentine’s Day, if you’re alone, why are you alone? poor you!” I cringe everytime, as it seems it’s abnormal,especially here in the Middle East to be a single woman, like there’s something wrong with you. In fact, I was in Jordan alone last year, I went for dinner, it was the 14th of Feb, but I was going because I was hungry, not to celebrate the day. When I got to the dining room, I was looked at strangely, and told it was Val’s Day, so they were serving couples in that particular restaurant..I told them my partner was invisible, “Meet Ahmed, isn’t he cute.”, but they didn’t “see him”. In any case, a couple of restaurants were serving special buffets for Val’s Day, so I was “left out”. I found the manager and asked him if single guests were meant to go hungry, and got a FREE buffet with 2 glasses of wine! (so not all men are rubbish;)….but getting back to your dilemma….it made me appreciate being single all the more, thanks for that
For Val’s Day, I got MYSELF 3 roses, one for myself, one for hope and one for the Master, chocolate and a rose scented and vanilla candle. Cause I deserve it! Valentine’s Day is a day to show appreciation to those you love or hold dear, so if your alone, or in a relationship where you’re other half isn’t blessing you with appreciation, best to fill your life with these pleasures, cause you deserve it!
February 17, 2012 at 8:59 pm
Hmmm i think you’ve made it difficult for him to buy you flowers now. Flowers and other such things are generally bought spontaneously.