Etiquette: Pick Me!

A boss's guide to buying flowers.

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Whether or not you have time to smell the flowers, it's often worth making an effort to give them. Flowers convey thoughtfulness and a personal touch. Yes, they are fleeting, but it is their ephemeral nature that gives them a luxurious and indulgent allure. And they are longer lasting than other benevolent gestures in the business world--like taking someone out to lunch.

No matter what the business occasion, there are some basics to keep in mind when buying flowers. First, steer clear of romantic overtones by avoiding red carnations, red roses, and long-stemmed roses of any color. If in doubt, play it safe with a mixed bouquet. Always include a vase so that the recipient doesn't have to scramble for one. And it's okay to send flowers to men. Many florists can adapt bouquets for guys by using darker, richer-toned blooms and pairing them with more masculine containers and foliage. (If you don't buy that, potted plants are usually gender neutral.)

It's also important that you select blooms that strike the right mood for the occasion. Read on for a situation-by-situation guide to giving flowers at the office.

Get Well

When employees become seriously ill or injured, a bouquet can be a reminder that they're not forgotten as they recuperate. Have the arrangement delivered to a home address because some hospitals have rules against fresh flowers.

Best picks: "You can't get more uplifting than sunflowers," says Ian Prosser, owner of Botanica in Tampa. Arrangements should be big and bright and, most important, easy to care for. Gerbera daisies and hyacinths also make cheery choices.

Apology

If you've messed up, don't send a big, conspicuous arrangement. "An over-the-top bouquet can look like you're trying to bribe someone," says Peggy Post, co-author of Etiquette Advantage in Business. Stick with the understated and pared down, avoiding bright colors. Always include a handwritten card.

Best picks: Though orchids are a safe bet for just about any occasion, they are ideal for an apology arrangement. Elegant, simple, and relatively neutral, they're expensive-looking flowers but are more muted than a similarly priced mixed bouquet.

Client Thank-You

When it comes to wooing a client or expressing gratitude, think less to impress. "You're going to get the wow factor with the quality of blooms, not the quantity," says Prosser.

Best picks: Instead of a large, flashy arrangement, try a careful selection of a few exotic or harder-to-find blooms such as frilled tulips, peonies, or dendrobium orchids.

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