Flowers?

[James Gerhart]

On Fri, 17 Feb 1995, Jerry Ervin wrote:

> Has anyone else ever heard of the custom of ensuring that, when taking
> flowers on visiting a Russian home, one should take an _odd_ number
> of flowers for good luck?  (Some Russians I've talked to swear they've
> never heard of it; but others are equally sure it's
> quite common. What's the collective experience of SEELANGers?)
>
> Thanks
>
> --Jerry Ervin
> Ohio State Universit (emeritus)
>
Yes, indeed.  If there are so few you can count them, then an odd number
is correct for bringing to friends and hostesses.  For some reason, an
even number is appropriate at death.  See pp 19-21 of second edition,
Russian's World by one Genevra Gerhart.