If you want—or have—to give flowers to somebody in Lithuania, there are a number of local customs that are worth knowing about if you don’t want to run the risk of causing offence. Unless somebody just died, make sure you only give an odd number of flowers or stems. One will do, but isn’t particularly welcome unless it’s a single red rose for a lover. Lilies and chrysanthemums are still considered by some to be potent symbols of death, and should be left well alone unless heading to the cemetery. If giving flowers to the elderly, avoid yellow ones. Yellow is the colour of jealousy, and was also the colour of the dresses worn by woman of a questionable profession in the past. Carnations, especially red ones, are symbols of communism and as such can upset certain people. Finally, if you happen to be in Lithuania on International Women’s Day on March 8, it’s appropriate, if somewhat old-fashioned, for men to give red tulips to their female colleagues at work.