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Stevie Wonder may have been calling to say
I love you, but a new survey from Harlequin reveals the intentions of
Canadians are far less honourable. According to the 2007 Harlequin Romance
Report, The Romance Revolution(1), a whopping 58% of Canadian men and 41% of
Canadian women have said those three little words in the hopes that it would
lead to sex.
"Many people perceive "I love you" as the secret password that gets them
into the bedroom," said Marleah Stout, Senior Public Relations Manager,
Harlequin Enterprises Ltd., one of the world's leading publishers of women's
fiction. "But telling someone you love them because you think that's what they
want to hear is not romantic - it's clichéd and outdated, and these days
romance is a top priority for Canadians."
This year's Harlequin Romance Report survey, which polled more than
3,000 men and women across Canada and the U.S., discovered that Canada is a
nation of romantics. Ninety four per cent of men and 91% of women consider
themselves romantic, and surprisingly, more than a third of all men (39%)
consider themselves hopeless romantics. While the majority of Canadian men
(70%) and women (69%) want more romance in their lives, the problem is that
most (72%) don't know how to get it, believing that television and movies set
impossible romantic standards.
Much like the sexual revolution that liberalized sex and forced
discussion about sexuality out of the bedroom and into the public domain, The
Romance Revolution, the focus of this year's Romance Report, is all about
helping Canadians get in touch with their inner romantic. The Report also
explores how romance has changed and where it is headed, identifies the
barriers to romance and explores romance in its new domain - online.
"People want romance that is accessible and natural to them, one that
eschews clichés and stereotyped expectations," said Stout. "The Romance
Revolution is all about feeling comfortable and confident. Romance isn't
necessarily grand romantic gestures, it can be picking up your partner's
favourite movie on the way home from work, sending someone a sweet text
message or preparing a meal together while enjoying each other's company - all
simple actions that tell the special person in your life how you feel about
them."
The survey also revealed that more than 86% of Canadians believe that men
and women have different ideas about what romance should be. Almost one in
four Canadian men (22%) said they have no idea what's considered romantic
these days, while 32% of Canadian women claimed that romance was not important
to their significant other. While men and women may not be seeing eye to eye
when it comes to what is or is not considered romantic, they certainly agree
on one thing - it's cool to be romantic (87%).
Survey results show that Maritimers have taken the lead in the new
romantic domain. Four out of five respondents have posted a profile on an
online dating site. Things are a little hotter online in the Prairies where a
whopping 40% of men and women from Saskatchewan and Manitoba revealed that
they have engaged in cyber-sex. Seeking forgiveness for a sexual act? One in
five Albertan men would forgive their partner for having sex with someone
else. Ontarians, on the other hand, are four times less likely to forgive. And
if you are looking for an ego boost, head to British Columbia where a shocking
80% of the residents will use compliments in an effort to lure you into the
bedroom.
Other survey highlights include:
To err is human, to forgive divine - Nearly three-quarters of all men
(70%) and women (65%) would forgive their significant other if they flirted
with someone else, but men are more than twice as likely as women to forgive
their partner for having sex with somebody else (20% men versus 9% women).
Well I never! - Almost 50% of Canadians have sent a sexually explicit
email, text message or instant message to someone. Approximately one in three
men has even had a cyber-affair with someone online. Twelve per cent of men
and 17% of women have broken up with someone by e-mail, text message or
instant message.
Free to be me - Men and women both indicated that they wanted more
romance in their lives, but they want a romance that is genuine, comfortable
and often unconventional. Almost 65% of Canadian men and women disagreed with
the idea that everyone should get married at some point in their lives.
Starstruck - The Harlequin Romance Report 2007, The Romance Revolution,
includes the highly anticipated ranking of the male and female celebrities
that epitomize The Romance Revolution. With an army of women waiting in the
wings to be the next Mrs. Clooney, George Clooney took the number one spot for
the men, while stunning songstress and recent breast cancer survivor, Sheryl
Crow topped the women's chart. Honourable mentions on the men's side went to
hip-hop mogul Jay-Z, comical genius Vince Vaughn, tennis pro Andy Roddick and
the sexiest pirate on earth Johnny Depp. Lovely and talented Salma Hayek,
controversial pop star Pink, acting legend Diane Keaton and actress turned
author Angela Basset are making it look easy for the women. Other celebrities
making this year's list include: Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Alex Rodriguez,
Mathew Fox, Hugh Laurie, Cameron Diaz, Sandra Oh, Natalie Maines, Melissa
Ethridge and Demi Moore.
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