Flowers and stuffed animals in pictures

[Seeker]

Somebody I agree with you 100%. I find it strange nobody else catches this onthe forum. I find it a horrible practice and shows zero trust. I am reluctant to even send flowers due to this. I will be sending the woman I am talking to flowers soon and have specifically requested that no photo is taken.

I think many agree with you, I know I do.  I think the idea of asking for a photo as "proof" is tacky and insulting.

[UTRO]

I think many agree with you, I know I do.  I think the idea of asking for a photo as "proof" is tacky and insulting.

........ and is most likely why many Women in such photos don't look too happy with the gesture! 

[Seeker]

........ and is most likely why many Women in such photos don't look too happy with the gesture! 

I have noticed that too.

[Doll]

Honestly, I always believed that this method of 'Verification' is in Very bad taste. Sorry guys, but it really is sad and disrespectful.
How would you feel on the receiving end knowing that the flowers, teddy bear and chocolates all accompanied with a photo, are more for your own self confidence/esteem and trust issues than it is for remembering a happy occasion? I don't think it's right and it must make some Women feel really uncomfortable.

THANKS!
 

[Doll]

It just seems poor judgment to use those pictures on your DATING profile. We are talking about dating profiles, not family photos with flowers at the airport...

Look, have you heard of cultural differences? What means one thing for you, means totally different for somebody else in a different country.

[Misha]

It just seems poor judgement to use those pictures on your DATING profile. We are talking about dating profiles, not family photos with flowers at the airport...

Why poor judgment? Why is a woman holding a bouquet of flowers a taboo for you? As somebody noted, there are cultural differences. In my experience, people give flowers much more frequently in Russia. Every street corner has a florist. On the sidewalks, you will have women selling flowers. You can't go 100 yards without running into someone selling flowers or a store selling even more flowers. Somebody must be buying all those flowers and some of those flowers will end up in photos of women and those photos will end up on dating sites as the women will find it natural to post photos of themselves with flowers.

[Doll]

Misha, 

[Misha]

Here is a photo of my wife holding a bouquet of flowers that I gave her (cropped a bit to maintain anonymity). I would say that it is quite typical of the kind of photo that many RW would take of herself holding a bouquet of flowers.

I decided to remove the photo. 

[Blues Fairy]

Look, have you heard of cultural differences? What means one thing for you, means totally different for somebody else in a different country.

The OP thinks the girls should conform to his cultural expectations, not the other way round.

I agree that photos with flowers may be quite innocent. In Russia, women like to be photographed with flowers because the combination of a woman and flowers is considered beautiful.  It's a perfect accessory to a female face, that's all. 

[alex330]

Look, have you heard of cultural differences? What means one thing for you, means totally different for somebody else in a different country.

Hey now, be nice. I have lived most of my life outside the US in many countries. Most of my good friends are not even American.  
So, according to Misha and Doll, there are some cultural aspects to the flowers? Ummm, that was my original question to begin with.  

[Doll]

Hey now, be nice

I am

[ECOCKS]

I can't help but wonder why you are so sure these were given by other guys? My wife had two profile pictures with flowers, both taken at the Botanical Gardens in Kyiv. On March 8th most women who work end up with flower collections during the course of the day from co-workers, son's, brothers, bosses, etc. I got flowers from some of my female students and a couple of co-workers on Soldiers Day yet none of them were in any way romance-driven.

[alex330]

I am not sure how the flowers were received of course. I just find it a bit strange to post in profile pics. Several members have pointed out that flowers are a more important part of the culture over there and I can accept that. Not a big deal. I do have to agree with UTRO that not so happy looks and the booming business in online floral deliver to the FSU with pics taken at delivery would indicate a percentage are from admirers though.

[Doll]

I can't help but wonder why you are so sure these were given by other guys?

I am with you- wondering.

[alex330]

I got flowers from some of my female students and a couple of co-workers on Soldiers Day yet none of them were in any way romance-driven.

I overlooked this sentence. Very interesting and does change my perspective. Thanks

[Misha]

I do have to agree with UTRO that not so happy looks and the booming business in online floral deliver to the FSU with pics taken at delivery would indicate a percentage are from admirers though.

I am confused. Where are these not so happy looks? What makes you think the photos taken of the women were photos of flowers that were delivered? This is not what I see in these photos. They look like photos taken of women who received flowers on International Women's Day or received flowers for their birthday or received flowers from family, ... I personally don't see anything sinister in the photos posted in the profiles you shared with us  ???

[RussianWind]

Every street corner has a florist.  

Yes, suprisingly there are a lot of them around. There are three florist shops on my street and somebody buys flowers, they wouldn't exist then.

But when I was in my native little town, I was completely amazed - quite a number of florist shops work 24/7  

alex330 c'mon where is your common sense. Show me a woman in her right mind who would put such a picture in her profile. Do you think they are not able take pictures themselves? No, they wait when men send their pictures  

[RussianWind]

I am with you- wondering.

They see what they want to see. This is what photography normally about - you never know what's the story is behind it 

[alex330]

I am confused. Where are these not so happy looks?

I can spend some time to find them and post the links for arguements sake, but I am not the only one who has seen them as several other members have confirmed.
I even have some in my personal emails but would prefer not to share as I want to protect the womens privacy.
I am sure there is a fair mixture of all types of photos to be honest.

 

Do you think they are not able take pictures themselves?

I am sure the women can take pics of themselves. Cell phones seem quite pouplar. 

[Misha]

I can spend some time to find them and post the links for arguements sake

So, the photos you posted were not meant to represent the types of photos that you seem to object to on site? Okay, I am confused.

Also, another cultural thing, smiling is a bit different in the FSU than in North America. Very often (though not always) women will post photos of themselves with a very restrained smile or no smile at all. A North American looking at the photo would assume that they were not happy, perhaps even glum, while in reality they were in a perfectly chipper mood.

[Doll]

alex330, listen (I am being nice ),
it is all about another culture- women do think they look better with flowers in the pictures, also, the way RW look (at you) and smile IS different. It is another culture and another ethics.

[alex330]

So, the photos you posted were not meant to represent the types of photos that you seem to object to on site? Okay, I am confused.

Also, another cultural thing, smiling is a bit different in the FSU than in North America. Very often (though not always) women will post photos of themselves with a very restrained smile or no smile at all. A North American looking at the photo would assume that they were not happy, perhaps even glum, while in reality they were in a perfectly chipper mood.

The pics I posted were the first random ones I came across. My original question was if there was some cultural aspect to teh flowers and Teddy bears that seem so prevalent. It took a bit to come out but yes, it seems there is something to it from what several members have said. I am certain that some are indeed gifts from suitors though. You do have to agree on that I would think.

I have heard about the smiling. You have a point there. I will fit right in  :O

[alex330]

alex330, listen (I am being nice ),
it is all about another culture- women do think they look better with flowers in the pictures, also, the way RW look (at you) and smile IS different. It is another culture and another ethics.

LOL , ok point taken. This answers to my original question then. 

[Misha]

I am certain that some are indeed gifts from suitors though.

Define suitor? Is it possible that some of the women posted photos of themselves with flowers that a classmate or coworker who had a crush on them gave to on International Women's Day as all men give flowers to a variety of women on that day. Sure, it is possible. Does that make then suitors? Yes, if you were to define suitor as any man who potentially had some interest in a woman, though not necessarily a date.

[Jumper]

oui! this topic has gone everywhere LOL

Ok, to clear something up-

Not every man sending flowers and asking for a photograph is trying to confirm anything or has some hidden agenda !!
I always liked a photo with my ex (when we were dating) when I  sent flowers !! why wouldn't I ?
and so would most men.

and she was happy to have received the flowers and WANTED her photo taken with them..
if the flower delivery service din't take one , she normally would have had someone else take it and email it to me,
 just because! (certainly not on my request)

i wasn't trying to confirm anything,  we had met!!
 I just liked to see her smile,, which by the way is WHY we met.
it's as simple as i liked her smile and she seemed to show it more quickly and effortlessly than those around her.

IMHO-
Both sides in this endeavor need to be less skeptical,cynical, and  try not to read things into actions...