A recent survey conducted by Rosgosstrakh Insurance Company in partnership with Otkritie Bank reveals a striking shift in how many Russian schoolchildren will approach the August-to-September bouquet tradition. The study shows that a clear majority, 82 percent, plan to present flowers to teachers on September 1, a hallmark of back-to-school rituals across the country. The findings were released by socialbites.ca, providing a window into contemporary attitudes toward this long-standing custom.
Delving into specifics, the survey highlights that nearly one-third of respondents, 32 percent, intend to offer a personal bouquet to their class teacher on the first day of school this year. Another 22 percent anticipate presenting flowers to several teachers at once, reflecting a communal gesture in many classrooms. In 22 percent of cases, participants foresee the bouquet purchasing as a shared classroom activity rather than a single gift from one student. Alarmingly, 18 percent of those surveyed do not plan to give flowers at all, signaling a notable segment opting out of the tradition.
Attitudes toward the tradition vary widely. A third of respondents, 34 percent, are indifferent to September 1 rituals and do not bring bouquets to school every year. A quarter of the population, 23 percent, believes that thanking teachers is important, but the cost can be a restraint. The survey also notes price pressures on popular blooms; nearly half of respondents, 48 percent, report higher prices for flowers such as asters and gladioli this year, with increases ranging from 5 to 10 percent. Among the findings, 20 percent of Russians state that giving flowers is a yearly habit, while 16 percent view the expense as wasteful and prefer directing those funds to charitable causes instead.
Budget considerations are a clear thread in the survey. About a quarter of participants, 25 percent, plan to spend between 1,000 and 3,000 rubles on flowers by September 1, with another 24 percent aiming for 3,000 to 5,000 rubles, and 29 percent budgeting less than 1,000 rubles. A smaller segment, 15 percent, intends to obtain a free bouquet by gathering flowers from their own garden. These numbers illustrate a broad spectrum of spending, from modest to more elaborate arrangements, influenced by personal finances and regional price variations.
When it comes to the types of flowers, chrysanthemums lead the way at 24 percent, followed by daisies at 16 percent, roses at 12 percent, gladiolus at 9 percent, and asters at 6 percent. The timing of purchases shows practical planning: 28 percent prefer to buy in the afternoon or evening of August 31, 26 percent favor the morning of September 1, and about a quarter have a flexible approach that doesn’t pin down a single purchasing window. These patterns underscore a blend of tradition, personal taste, and budgetary pragmatism shaping how families respond each year.
The survey points to a broader expectation that the price of flowers will continue to rise by September 1, a trend that could influence purchasing decisions and the overall scale of gift-giving in the months ahead. The evolving economics of fresh blooms intersect with cultural expectations, prompting families to weigh sentiment against value when planning school-day gestures. In this climate, the act of giving flowers remains a meaningful, yet increasingly nuanced, expression of appreciation for teachers, balancing personal significance with financial realities and shifting consumer prices.