Romance on the rise - Rose vendor sees sales blooming among teens

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, vendors selling roses are feeling some love in the air as Jamaican men and boys are out buying flowers.

"Di man dem a come out and buy yes, but the day nuh reach yet suh we nah get much sale," said Tafari Saunders, a veteran rose vendor stationed at Devon House in St Andrew for nearly two decades. He also explained that there has been an increase in teenage boys buying roses, presumably for their special someone.

"Just yesterday a likkle school youth buy five roses one time and the day not even come yet! Some a di big man dem weh pass see it and get jealous," he said. Saunders noted that he also saw an increase in teens buying roses during the Valentine season last year.

When THE STAR visited Devon House around 1 p.m. yesterday, Saunders' bucket of roses was nearly empty - only seven of the prized flowers remained. He shared that as soon as those were sold, he planned to restock with two more bunches to prepare for the evening rush.

"Mi know how di sales go. Right now, mi a get likkle business and it slow, but tomorrow and Friday it a go mad," he said with a chuckle.

Over the years, Saunders said he has noticed a shift in men's attitudes toward romance, stating that more of them are embracing gift-giving.

"Back in di day, man nuh used to a buy up flowers fi dem woman. Now, dem nah hesitate and mi feel like di younger generation a get more romantic," he explained.

While Saunders is off to a strong start, not all vendors are experiencing the same excitement. Diana Small, a hairdresser who sells roses for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, said she had only made one sale despite being out since 7 a.m.

"Last year did good, so mi a hope fi di same this [time]. Mi know later more people will come out," she said optimistically.