Bouquet interpretation: cold comfort

Here's a bouquet from my local Pak and Save that I am sure someone will be snapping up, possibly because it's Christmas, or possibly just as a present for someone who likes red and pink flowers. Would that be a mistake, though? Well, let's find out:

There are three flowers in this bouquet:

Gerbera: sadness or needing protection.

Sweet William: gallantry, finesse, a man may smile and be a villain too.

Statice: Formality, sympathy.

Together, this bouquet is saying, "I know you're sad about what happened with that smiling villain, and you probably need some protection, but all I can offer is sympathy."

With everyone so busy at the moment in the lead-up to Christmas, this is probably a very honest bouquet. Whether the smiling villain in question is a bad boss, a cheating partner, or just a driver who politely but insistently forces their way into traffic when it's not their turn and cuts your friend off, if you're too busy to offer anything but sympathy just now, this bouquet is the way to show it.

I'm sure that will help.