business savvy

With Valentine’s falling on a Thursday, many of us will receive flowers at the office. That’s a good thing, whether it’s a holiday or not because flowers are known to de-stress us and improve our moods. I know it works for me! :)

OK, back to Valentine’s. I checked in with Barbara Pachter, a business etiquette expert in Cherry Hill, N.J., pachter.com, about our work and personal lives overlapping on this romantic day. Pachter, who is the author of New Rules @ Work, echoed something I’ve been droning on about for the last few weeks. Think ahead!

Decide whether it’s best to send flowers to your sweetie’s home or work. A home delivery means more privacy and the bouquet won’t have to be carried back from the office. If you are dating someone from the office, definitely send the flowers to his/her home.

Still, if there’s no one to sign for the flowers, the office is likely the best bet. Senders, be careful about what you put on the card – there can be lots of opportunities for people other than the recipient to read it.

Also be aware of the meaning of flowers. Pachter says that over the holidays she received red roses from a male business associate. They were beautiful, but not a hit with her husband! For a quick guide to flower meaning, see my post from Monday: www.teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/Flowers-More-to-meaning-than-meets-the-eye.aspx.

What about handling questions from co-workers when you have a tower of flowers on your desk? As Pachter acknowledges: “In some offices, people really like to know people’s business.” Remember that you don’t have to answer every question. Or you could say: It’s from my secret Valentine. Or: “It’s from someone who cares about me.”

Similarly, the romantic/funny/charming story behind your bouquet needs to be short and sweet at the office. You can tell your peeps all the details another time.

Don’t think you’ll be getting flowers on Thursday? You could bring in your own plant, send flowers to yourself or enjoy your co-workers’ floral bounty.

And if a co-worker (aka Mr. or Ms. Insensitive) asks why you don’t have flowers in your cube, Pachter offers this great suggestion, which answers the question without really saying anything. Just reply: “You should see my house.”

Jacqueline - Editor

February 13, 2008

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