Flower shops, chains and independent ones, are a thing in Germany. Everyone buys cut flowers. You bring them when visiting in the afternoon for coffee and cake, you give them when invited for dinner, you get them for yourself, or you offer them just because. At home growing up we always had beautiful cut flowers on the birthday table, dad included, no gender bias.

While I was waiting in line at the flower shop a few days ago in Germany, a young man picked two bunches of tulips and had them arranged with some pretty leaves. He said he was three minutes from home and asked if he needed to cut the stems again once back, obviously interested in their care. An older man bought two bunches of narcissus, for himself I gathered, because he had them wrapped in plain brown paper, no arranging. A woman got forsythia branches for her home. I waited in line to have the flowers for my mom prettied up with greenery.

Flowers are not only a women's thing in Germany, as I could attest from the diverse line of shoppers. The displays are abundant, arranged by type of flower and color. The cost is always reasonable. You can take the flowers home as is, or, as many people do, have them arranged professionally with skill and greens, wrapped in gift wrap or plain brown paper, all for just a small extra fee.

Cut flowers are part of the culture. They add to the enjoyment of life, they beautify a corner of your home, or place a glint of pleasure in the eyes of the receiver.