My oldest mentor finally had to bid the Company goodbye. So we held several special programs for him. On one instance, I was tasked to buy flowers. Before the program, I had to attend several meetings so my seat mates could just see the flowers near my desk but couldn’t ask me from whom it was.

Then during the Leads’ meeting, finally my seatmate had the chance: who gave you flowers?

My instant reply: I bought for myself .

The look on his face was priceless. Same as the look the other male colleagues in the meeting room had (I was the only female Lead). They couldn’t fathom that a lady would buy herself flowers.

My joke was so satisfying I laughed for some time before I cleared it up. That it was for the oldest member in our division who’s retiring.

I can buy myself flowers.