Ralph Lauren and Glamour Magazine Look at Modern Day Romance. Survey Says …

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Ralph Lauren Romance and Glamour Magazine, have teamed up to provide an inside look at modern day romance. A survey held in conjunction with market research company, GfK Roper, found that although technology has a role in the way men and women communicate, tradition remains an important facet in relationships – and fragrance makes an indelible impression. (Do you remember the fragrance worn by your first love? I do!)  Comprised of 17 questions, the survey polled 1,000 male and female adults, ages 18+, nationwide.* **

Key Findings:

·       TRUE LOVE: 9 in 10 American adults believe in true love; this is equally believed among men and women, regardless of age and marital status.

·       FIRST ENCOUNTER: About 1 in every 9 married adults met their spouse online (12%); most people meet significant others through friends, family or at work.

·       FIRST CONTACT: Nearly 3 out of 4 single adults say 1-3 days is a reasonable amount of time to contact someone after obtaining their information; men were slightly more likely to say either the same day or the first week.

·       FRAGRANCE: 1 in 3 adults remember what fragrance their significant other was wearing on their first date (34%); among those single adults with a lucky date item, 73% say that item is a fragrance.

·       COMMUNICATION: Phone calls are the preferred way to be contacted after a first date by both men and women, although men are far more likely to rely on technology. After the first date, 49% of men said text messaging is the preferred means of making contact and 29% said email.

·       COMPLIMENTS: 88% of men said the #1 compliment they would most like to receive is “you’re so funny,” however the compliment most desired by women is “you have a great smile. (93%)”

·       EXPRESSION: Men say “I love you” sooner than women, and are twice as likely as women to say “I love you” in the first week (19% vs. 10%). The number one thing men want to receive for Valentine’s Day is to hear “I love you.”

·       ENDING IT: Both genders agree that the best way to end a relationship is by meeting in person (60%), although men were more likely to say they’d end a relationship via a phone call (26% vs 17%).

I will refrain from commenting and allow the results to speak for themselves.  Comments, anyone?

*For full survey results, click here.

**Methodology:The survey results are based on online interviews conducted from October 22 – 27, 2010, through OMNIWEB, a weekly national online omnibus service of GfK Roper Custom Research North America. A total of 1,010 interviews were completed.  In addition, an oversample was conducted among 361 18-44 year old, non-married adults, to achieve a total of 600 adults in this category.