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What we want in the opposite
sex.
Men and women don't want "opposite" characteristics
in each other at all;
in fact, what they want matches perfectly.
That's the finding of a recent online study, conducted
for American Demographics magazine, of nearly 1500 single
men and women.
"Intelligence"was the most desired characteristic
for both sexes, mentioned by 79% of respondents as an
extremely or very important characteristic in a significant
other.
Next most mentioned on everyone's lists were "funny"
(70%), "attractive" (34%), "athletic"
(12%), and "wealthy" (6%).
Contrary to prevailing stereotypes, the magazine notes,
"This hierarchy holds true across not only sex,
but every other demographic segment, including age,
income, level of education, race, and ethnicity."
Dr. Joyce Brothers commented on the findings, noting
that with women's economic status today, "they
can look for attractiveness, just like men."
Where we meet
The survey also asked singles where/how they commonly
meet people to date. Most mentioned - by 65% - was meeting
through friends, co-workers, and family.
Among the other most mentioned methods: work, 36%; school
by 27%; 26% meet online (remember that the study itself
was done online); and 26% in bars or coffee shops.
While men and women logically name the same types of
places as where they meet each other, other demographic
factors have important effects.
Blacks are more likely than whites to meet in church
(28% vs 16%) or at a gym (13% vs 4%).
Divorced and widowed singles are significantly more
likely than never-married singles to meet dates online
(42% vs 22%) but less likely to meet people in libraries
and bookstores (4% vs 12%).
Before the date
Men and women definitely have different routines in
preparing for a date, according to the study.
Women are more likely than men to buy new clothes for
the date (38% vs 12%), put on special undergarments
(33% vs 13%), and clean their house or apartment (58%
vs 52%).
And while 69% of men stop at a bank or ATM for some
extra cash before a date, so do 54% of women. Men also
wash their car (42%) and buy flowers or candy (25%).
Another interesting difference between the sexes: 22%
of women develop a plan for ending
a bad date, compared to just 11% of men.
If the date goes well, who should make the follow-up
phone call? Most guys (64%) say they'll call within
a day, 29% in two to three days, and 2% wait four days
before calling. Meanwhile, 71% of the women are willing
to make the call.
For a special date
Asked what they would prefer to do on a special date,
more men than women said "eat at a nice restaurant"
(46% vs 39%).
Women were more likely to want to attend a concert,
movie or the theater (26% vs 21%).
Men were more likely than women to want to make dinner
at home or go on a picnic (18% vs 13%).
And women were much more likely than men to choose going
to an amusement park, mini-golf, go-carts, or arcade
(14% vs. 6%).
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