Are Plastic Flowers the Sex Dolls of the Plant World?

It’s time to say no to plastic flowers and plants

Can a human-sized and molded lump of plastic really replace actual human contact? I’m not against the sex doll industry, perse; whatever helps you grind your groin. But I worry we are drifting away from one of the most important aspects of being human; connection with other humans and connection with nature.

I abhor seeing plastic plants in restaurants, cafes, and anywhere else!

Is it just me, or is the prevalence of these atrocities increasing without notable objection? They are a symbol of laziness and deceit.

Nothing good comes from artificial plants and flowers. Nothing!

A recent meander around the streets of Edinburgh saddened me. Since my last trip home, the fashion of plastic door bouquets has spread like a contagion. Entrances to eateries are now adorned with cascading flowers; greenery flows down the frames, peacocking to passers-by. Only they aren’t flowers and leaves; they are merely pieces of plastic, impersonating something divine.

Inside these establishments lies an equally depressing scene. Large plastic trees, scarily life-like, and small potted fake flowers furnish each table.

Looks good, sort of, if you like that sort of thing. But when you see it, you can’t unsee it, and you realise how gross it all is.

Plants and flowers are popular, not just for their aesthetics but for their health benefits. This Healthline article lists seven benefits of indoor plants:

• Reduce stress.
• Sharpen attention.
• Expedite recovery post-illness.
• Boost productivity.
• Improve work outlook.
• Enhance air quality.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that plastic plants and flowers don’t provide any of those benefits.

As for plastic flowers left at graves, come on! Your late loved ones deserve better than that!

Let’s look at why plastic plants and flowers have no place in society and what we miss out on when we opt for fake instead of the real thing.

What’s wrong with plastic plants and flowers?

I think perhaps an easier question to answer is what is right with them.

Nothing is right with them, but here are the reasons people use them.

• Greater longevity, which translates to cheaper than the real deal.
• No need for watering or feeding, or general nurturing.
• No maintenance.

Just like a sex doll, right?

Capitalism has set the tone for artificial plants. Those who succumb to the promising allure and invest in this fakery want to appear like they are building a beautiful space, but they want to do it with minimum maintenance and expense. This is cheap, lazy, and deceitful.

Artificial plants and flowers are nothing but a con!

We are forgetting the history of bringing flowers and plants inside. It’s not just about looks. You see when we nurture plants and flowers, we gain positive health benefits, including improved mental health and greater well-being.

You know the good old expression, “If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it’s a duck.”

Well, these plastic mimics may look like the real deal, but they don’t smell like the real deal or feel like the real deal, nor do they benefit us in the way the real deal does. They are merely an imitation.

I’m just aghast that people fall for it. So many people allow themselves to be taken in by plastic petals. Petals that have no allure to butterflies and bees and only serve to clog up landfill.

Heck, we may as well place plastic traffic cones around the doors and a selection of plastic water bottles as the table display. Same material, just modeled slightly differently!

I now boycott establishments that use plastic plants or flowers.

Sadly there’s no getting away from them completely. Artificial greenery is everywhere, from doctors' surgeries to dentists and many offices you may have reason to visit.

This article urges against the use of artificial plants in the office. It outlines a number of reasons for steering clear of the vile creations; they are not eco-friendly, don’t last forever, and still require some maintenance with no health benefits.

The reason that stands out the most for me is this:

“They can give a bad impression to clients. While real, healthy plants can give the feeling that your business is well taken care of, fake plants — especially if they aren’t pristine — can do just the opposite. People value authenticity, and that’s especially true with clients.”

That’s it in a nutshell.

Artificial plants and flowers are inauthentic.

Plants and flowers — the real deal, not the fake things — increase levels of positive energy and help people feel secure and relaxed.

Is our acceptance of artificial plants fueling a rise of fake friends?

I cannot help but see a correlation between society’s acceptance of artificial plants and flowers and the prevalence of fake friends, both online and off.

Plants and flowers bloom when nurtured correctly. Friendships also need love and attention. While friendships shouldn’t feel like hard work, they still require an investment of time.

Fake friendships aren’t nourished or nourishing.

Would you rather have a friend who doesn’t support you, belittles you, competes with you, emotionally dumps on you, and sucks away all your energy. Or would you rather have a friend who is intuitive to your emotions and feelings, one you feel safe with and can laugh and cry with?

It’s a no-brainer. No one wants fake friends, so why do we accept fake flowers and plants?

Get creative with the solutions

The thing is, it needn’t be a case of either or; I mean, you don’t have to choose between artificial and real plants. You don’t have to use plants and flowers at all. All it takes is a little bit of imagination. What else could you have as a table centerpiece or a door decoration?

Why not get creative and opt for things with more longevity to adorn the entrances of your establishments and decorate your tables, office space, or gravestones?

• Driftwood sculptures.
• Reclaimed metal designs.
• Ikebana arrangements.
• Succulent pot plants (super low maintenance).

What else can you think of?

Ultimately we don’t need any more plastic in this suffocating world!

Will you help me stand up to these artificial plants and flowers endemic? Speak to business owners, and encourage them to ditch the fakery.

🙏Thank you for reading my story Ali Hall

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