What's the objection to Floor Standing Speakers?

Why do, and its generally women, prefer bookshelf speakers over floor standing EVEN if the bookshelf is going on the floor on a stand, thereby taking up almost EXACTLY the same space in the room?
I've always been amazed at this--two speakers, identical in width and depth, with only height as the differential, are presented to the fair lady, who instantly picks the bookshelf WITH stands, making it occupy the EXACT SAME KILL ZONE FLOOR TO CEILING AS THE FLOORSTANDER.
Why is this--when price is not the determining factor--of course given a price difference which IS meaningful, the answer is obvious, but when NOT--WHY?
Seeking opinions to this very old question that plagues the industry and allows Bose Lifestyles to still breathe our precious air.

Larry