Allied Florists of Houston America's Romantic Temperature

Giving someone flowers has long been considered a romantic gesture.

More flowers are given on Valentine's Day, than on any other day of the year. A dozen beautiful long stemmed red roses are the most popular Valentine's floral gift. When roses are given with candy and jewelry a man reaches the ultimate in romantic gestures.

Everything about sending and receiving flowers is romantic. With or without roses the gift of flowers send a special message of love.

So who is more romantic? Men or women?

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Both men and women agree...
Men are only lukewarm in the romance department

Though our planet may be warming, America’s romantic climate registers "fizzle" not "sizzle," according to a survey conducted by the Society of American Florists (SAF). Only 19 percent of men rank themselves as a seven or higher on a romantic scale of one to 10. And women agree. Just 19 percent rate their husband, boyfriend or significant other a seven or more.

The remaining 81 percent of men gauge their romantic temperature anywhere from mild to downright chilly, according to the survey. But these men can soon take advantage of an ideal opportunity to spark a heat wave.

Overcoming Inertia
The survey results suggest many men would rate higher on the romance scale if they simply planned their Valentine's Day activities before the last minute. When asked how early they prepare for Valentine's Day, less than a third of men said they purchase gifts or make arrangements a week or more in advance. On the other end of the spectrum, 30% wait until Valentine's Day or the day before to order or purchase gifts for their sweetheart.

Men rate themselves lukewarm on the romance scale
81% of men rank themselves as a six or lower on a romantic scale of 1-10, with 10 being extremely romantic.

Women rate men lukewarm on the romance scale
81% of women rank their men as a six or lower.

How romantic are men these days?

Rating	Men Rate Themselves	Women Rate Their Men
10 - "extremely"	6%	9%
9	4%	3%
8	4%	4%
7	5%	3%
6	20%	11%
5	9%	7%
4	15%	8%
3	16%	14%
2	4%	4%
1 - "not at all"	13%	16%
Don't know/no response	4%	21

Women prepare sooner for Valentine's Day
38% of women order or purchase Valentine's Day gifts a week or more in advance, compared to only 30% of men. 18% of men wait until the day before to order or purchase gifts.

How far in advance do you typically purchase/order Valentine's Day gifts?

When	Women	Men
A week or more	38%	30%
2 - 6 days	21%	29%
The day before	12%	18%
The day of	6%	12%
Other	6%	4%
Don't know/no response	17	7

Source: Nationwide survey of 534 women and 481 men conducted in April 1998 by Bruskin/ Goldring Research for the Society of American Florists

To read more about the Society of American Florists'
study on America's romantic temperature visit:

Allied Florists of Houston

The Association of Professional Florists