Archive for the ‘ Relationships ’ Category

A new large-scale survey, conducted by American researchers, has revealed some interesting new statistics about our behaviour in relationships. The results of the online survey, which polled almost 100,000 people from around the world, were published a month or so back in a new book called The Normal Bar – a title which reflects the survey’s attempt to define ‘normal’ when it comes to sex, love and romance in society today. Among the survey’s findings was that maintaining a mood of romance is important for a successful long-term relationship.

Read more…

A recent survey by adult learning website Love to Learn has found that, as salaries and job status rise, the more likely men are to turn to their mothers for advice about life’s big decisions. In fact, the results of the survey showed that almost two out of three men who worked as chief executives, surgeons, senior civil servants and similar high-flying jobs described themselves as mummy’s boys. In contrast, only one in five in working-class professions, and two in five in semi-skilled or manual jobs admitted being tied to their mother’s apron strings.

Read more…

Well, now that Christmas is over with for another year (but for how long?), it’s the perfect time to reflect on the ritual of gift-giving. Do we go over the top and buy far too much? Has giving become an empty gesture, done just because it’s expected of us, rather than to express appreciation of someone? How good are we at buying gifts – do we buy appropriate and valued things? Well, the first two of these questions will remain unanswered here, but the third of them – how good are we at giving – has been addressed by a post-Christmas survey. The results aren’t especially surprising, but they’re worth summarising.

Read more…

Remember that scene from the movie When Harry Met Sally? You know the one: when Sally (Meg Ryan), in the middle of a diner, imitates a woman faking an orgasm. It’s a scene that raised a smile of recognition from many women, and – no doubt – from some men. But, while we all know that a lot of women fake orgasms, we might not have been aware of just how many women, and how often. Now, though, a recent study has told us the truth. And it’s quite a surprise.

Read more…

If you’re a woman who values fidelity and monogamy in your man, then you should choose a clever clogs, a recent study has found. That’s because, according to researchers at a British university, intelligent men are less likely to cheat on their partner. Why this should be the case isn’t entirely clear, but the study showed unambiguously that men with higher IQs place greater value on monogamy and sexual exclusivity than their less intelligent peers. Oddly, perhaps – at least at first glance – it is a behaviour that doesn’t seem to be mirrored among women: the researchers could find no evidence that clever women are any more likely than the general population to remain faithful.

Read more…

What factors influence other peoples’ perceptions of how attractive we are? The way we look is one of them, of course, as well as the way we behave. And there are many other things, too, some more subtle than others. And if you’re thinking, “well, yes, that’s pretty obvious,” you’re right, it is pretty obvious. But here’s one factor that we’re prepared to bet didn’t occur to you – your email address! Because a recent study has shown that the email address you choose has a significant effect on how attractive you seem to others. Strange, perhaps, but true.

Read more…