Flowers?

[charlesg]

          An even number of flowers is for mourning not only in
          Russia, but also in other parts of Europe (e.g., I made the
          mistake of bringing a dozen flowers to my hostess more than
          once in Bulgaria before being clued in).  There are also
          various other things: apparently in Germany bringing red
          roses says that you're in love with the hostess.  White is
          the color of death in some countries, and you don't bring
          white flowers there.
                         Charles Gribble   Gribble.3 at osu.edu