Question on Japanese office culture

[zweckanschauer]

Hi there, I'm thinking of sending flowers to a girl in Japan, to her office. Could anyone advise on whether this would be acceptable to her colleagues, or would this be frowned upon and considered unprofessional? Thank you.

Comments

[sore_de_ii_no]

I think just as long as you don't send blatently romantic flower...like roses, for one, it should be fine. Also, don't send chrysanthimums, particularly the white ones. I've also been told that flowers with large heads that wilt are not good (they look like dead people, was the reasoning). Having never worked in a Japanese company myself, I can't say, but from my readings on the culture...I don't think the idea is too taboo.

[thefreak]

It may just be a bit embarrassing, is all. Everyone in the office will talk about it and it'll draw a lot of attention to her, which some people may not be cool with, especially in Japan. I hope you are planning to do it on White Day, at least, so it makes sense.

[zweckanschauer]

Cool, so it's ok to send overtly romantic flowers to her on White Day? Would roses be ok?

[thefreak]

No, I'm not saying it's okay to send overtly romantic flowers...I am saying you can send just any flowers. What the guy before me said holds, still, about the roses, etc. Embarassing her in public is not going to make her think your swell. Are you already dating her or is this just a crush who has no idea?

[thenegrodamus]

whats white day?

[dynamint]

In case you don't know, White Day is March 14, and it's like a reverse Valentine's Day. (On VD, girls give boys they like chocolates, and on White Day, the boys are supposed to give a return gift to the girls from whom they received chocolate.)

[kobayashi_ai]

VD is the worst shortened form of Valentine's day EVER. But funny. kinda.

[zweckanschauer]

Thanks everyone for the info. :) I still welcome other suggestions if you have any.

[kobayashi_ai]

Make sure you DON'T send her four flowers. She'd probably go eat someone.

[thefreak]

HAHAHA...like '死国'

[mippa]

I am currently asking my boyfriend, who is a top manager at Uniden--he is reacting somewhat squeamishly. He says it really depends upon the culture of the particular office. But I would point out a few things:

Japanese offices are generally really small--would she have room to put them someplace? Usually something a little smaller like a piece of jewelry or the like is more acceptable, and less flamboyant.