Slavic men suffer from Women's Day stress

There's no place where International Women's Day is celebrated as widely as in Eastern Europe, Russia, and the surrounding countries. Warja Abrosimova, marketing manager Eastern Europe at Dekker Chrystanen, tells us all about the societal, economical and (for the male of the species) psychological effects this day has.

"If you google in Russian to whom you should give something for Women's Day, the following persons are named: 1) mother 2) girl 3) colleague 4) girlfriend 5) wife 6) teacher 7) preschool teacher 8) ladies 9) mother-in-law. So mothers-in-law get the short end of the stick, and then I'm missing a few other important women as well, such as neighbors and sisters. But there's only so much you can manage."

Flower purchasing stress. Photos were taken at C&C Azalia Group in Moscow (http://azaliagroup.ru/)

"Women's Day is a stressful time for all men, because they need to make a good list of which women in their life to present with a gift. Flowers and plants are traditional gifts. Of course it's always possible to give something extra, depending on budget. From something small to a luxury car."

"Business congratulations already start on the days before Women's Day. Every woman is presented with at least one flower from their employer, but it could also be an entire bouquet, depending on how generous they are. On March 7 and 8, market stalls and flower shops are packed with men lining up to buy a bouquet or pick up their order. A man usually orders a few bouquets for a small fee, a few at a higher price and a few expensive ones. It depends on how many women he wants to treat to a gift, and what his budget is. A normal bouquet costs around 20 euros. An especially pretty one can cost double, and prices go up all the way to 1000 euros. Up to half of the annual earnings for local flower traders is made from Women's Day."

Clara Zetkin
"Women's Day was originally started by German women's right activist Clara Zetkin. On August 26, 1910, Zetkin advocated for an annual women's day, calling for universal suffrage. The first celebrations of Women's Day occurred in 1911. In 1921, March 8 was officially chosen as Women's Day. On that day in 1917, women in St. Petersburg rebelled against food shortages and war atrocities, not knowing it would later become such an important flower day. Growing flowers in winter was no mean feat back then."

"Women's Day is still a day that symbolizes the struggle women everywhere have to fight for equality. Women have the same capacities as men, but are still seen as educators of children and managers of the household in most societies. The recent #metoo discussion shows that the West could also pay a bit more attention to Women's Day."

"In Russia, Women's Day is a day off for everyone. It revolves around the woman: she gets the appreciation she lacks the rest of the year. This year, March 8 is on a Thursday. The government decided that everyone has a day off on March 9 as well, so everyone has a long weekend. We hope, along with the entire Dutch ornamental industry, for good sales during Women's Day, so everyone can make something from the appreciation for women. That's what I call WIN-WIN!"

For more information:
Dekker Chrysanten
Julianaweg 6a
1711 RP Hensbroek
Netherlands
T: +31 (0) 226 45 60 60
F: +31 (0) 226 45 60 75
E: info@dekkerchrysanten.nl
www.dekkerchrysanten.com