What Would you Have Done, hun?

Question

My Partner 's Mum went on a Holiday trip with One Of Her sons and my Partner stayed Home to take Care of things (As Always). The Other Day, Mum's Friend came to the door (She has visited over the years) with some sort of Flowers. It was Pouring down Rain and she was on Her way Home from work. My Partner claimed He Invited Her to Come in and Dry off (She Always Brings Her Doglol) but she Politely refused and just wanted to Drop off Mum's Birthday flowers. He told her to take them Home with her for Mum was AWAY and for Her to enjoy instead. I would Have Graciously ACCEPTED the Flowers ANYWAYS as a Gesture of Politeness. Would you have Accepted them or just Have let Her go back Home with the Flowers? To Me, A Matter of Polite Principal. xxoo

Dina_Melissa19 · Accepted Answer

This situation seems to have multiple layers involving both politeness and practicality. Here’s how I see it:

Accepting the flowers could have been a warm gesture, allowing you to express gratitude on behalf of your partner’s mum and avoid the awkwardness of sending her back with a gift she intended to leave. It would also save her from carrying them back home in the pouring rain, especially since she had already gone out of her way to deliver them.

On the other hand, your partner’s approach may have been more focused on practicality, thinking that the flowers should be enjoyed by the giver while his mum was away. He likely had good intentions, not wanting the flowers to go unused or sit there for days while his mum was out.

Ultimately, both approaches stem from different values—yours being a gesture of politeness and his being more practical. In hindsight, a middle ground might have been to accept the flowers and offer to pass along the appreciation to his mum, which would have honored the friend’s gesture while maintaining a polite stance.

What would have felt most comfortable for you in that moment may come down to your personal perspective on hospitality and kindness. What matters most is that both you and your partner understand and respect each other’s way of handling similar situations in the future.

Insecure2 · Accepted Answer

Your partner was really thoughtfull towards your mum's friend by offering her to come in and to dry off. However, I would have accepted the flowers. The woman brought them for your mum, IT was a gift to someone else and only the receiver of the gift can decide to accept IT or not. Moreover, the woman came in the rain to actually bring them so she might feel offended that someone else told her to take them back.

Laciejordan · Answer

I would have just accepted them but it was very nice of him to offer them to her to "enjoy", since the person they were intended for wouldn't be able to. He definitely didn't do anything wrong but yes, I would have just taken them, just to make things easier and avoid any awkwardness.

osmanthus · Answer

We don't know exactly why he might have refused to accept the flowers from his mother's friend that day. It is possible the underlying reason could have had something to do with this man's intimate status, meaning, that perhaps he did not accept them could have been because he did not want his mother to jump to some conclusion that this man had bought the flowers for a fictional woman. It is possible this man did not want the fuss from his mother—even if she did clear it up with her friend later that day. Sometimes, men just don't want to add more annoying or frustrating factors to an already stressful day, despite the fact the people closest to them care way too much.

dreamstar72 · Answer

A polite thing would have invited her in (yes he did that and she refused), accept the flowers and say mom will love the flower (sent mom a snapshot of the flowers) and thank her. The rude thing would be oh wait he did it

Anpu23 · Answer

Graciously acknowledge them, explain that mom's away on holiday and ask if she would rather just take them home and send her photos. If she wants to leave them, you accept them graciously take a few photos and send them to mom.

Med_guy1978 · Answer

I would have accepted them as firstly the person may take it as being turned down which would be hurtful. They may not believe the situation so in my opinion I would have accepted them and this would have made everyone happy and appreciated.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Any good Southern lady or gentleman should know that a gift offered out of kindness should be accepted with grace and with gratitude!

AviatorTom · Answer

I would have accepted the flowers and let the good lady know that I will keep them for Mum until she gets back.

exitseven · Answer

I would have taken the flowers to be polite.  I did not know you had a partner, Paris.  Hows it going?

DJB72 · Answer

Accept on her behalf, place in carbonated sugar water (better for the plants) and photograph for mum.  Never  refuse a gift.

Surely · Answer

As long as the flowers were not in my hands. Especially since they were not intended for me. I would shrug my shoulders and let it go. If offered to me. I would have accepted them.

DrPepper12 · Answer

Both are ok. He meant no harm nor was he rude. If she's such a great friend why didn't she know she was away?

Likes2drive · Answer

Depends how long the mom was gone, if coming back soon then accept them but if the flowers will dead by then he probably did the right thing

nawtee_me · Answer

Accepted the flowers and told her she was away but that I would send her pics of the flowers so she could enjoy them.

Iron_Man · Answer

I. Would accept the flowers and give them to the person that she wanted me to give them to

Jamie05rhs · Answer

I don't think he did anything wrong. But yes, I would have accepted the flowers.

Wiredone · Answer

I would have accepted them for her. I'm sure they would still be alive when she got home

Anonymous · Answer

I would have given her the option to take them or leave them as she saw fit.

shortster · Answer

Accepted the flowers.

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

I wouldve taken the flowers

panda2712 · Answer

Accept the flowers

Anonymous · Answer

Kindness is important, man.

TheCaller · Answer

To accept

What Would you Have Done, hun?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

What Would you Have Done, hun?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.