Japanese kisses

[thomas]

Smack: the annual romance survey by Harlequin!

Kissing not Japanese strong suit, Harlequin poll finds

The modesty widely viewed as a Japanese trademark was again apparent in a recently released survey on kissing, with only 29 per cent of respondents rating their kisses an 8 or higher on a scale of 1 to 10. The annual romance survey by Harlequin Enterprises Ltd., a Canada-based publisher of romance novels, was conducted on 3,598 people aged 18 and above in 18 countries, with the theme this time being kissing.

Worldwide, 70 per cent of those surveyed give their kisses at least an 8, and 24 per cent give themselves a 10. However, in Japan, where 200 people were surveyed, only 10 per cent of the respondents say their kisses are perfect, with the largest number of people -- 46 per cent -- opting for the more "average" marks of 5, 6 and 7. Of the Japanese men surveyed, 10 per cent say their kisses rate between 1 and 4, in contrast to the global figure of 4 per cent. For women, 4 per cent of all respondents rate their kisses between 1 and 4, while their Japanese counterparts' corresponding figure is 15 per cent.

The survey shows that 65 per cent of Norwegian men say their kisses rate a 10, with 48 per cent for Italy a distant second followed by Britain with 38 per cent. But when those who give themselves a 9 are added, Italian men come out on top with 72 per cent, nudging ahead of the 68 per cent total for Norway. For women, Britain leads the field with 47 per cent saying their smooches are worth a 10, followed by Australia and Mexico each with 33 per cent.

Meanwhile, when asked to rate their partners' kisses, 57 per cent of Japan's replies fall between a 5 and a 7. Although the international survey shows that 69 per cent of pollees give their partner a score of 8 or higher, Japan's corresponding figure is 27 per cent. Thirty-two per cent of respondents in both Norway and Canada say that their partner's kiss deserves a 10, but 86 per cent of Hungarians give marks of 8 or higher, followed by Norwegians and Italians with 80 per cent each.


http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20030207c3.htm

 

[Maciamo]

The modesty widely viewed as a Japanese trademark ...

How does that explain rampant pornography and the extreme popularity of onsen and public bath (for which I am too pudical to go, which makes Japanese laugh because they don't care much about modesty).

Worldwide, 70 percent of those surveyed give their kisses at least an 8, and 24 percent give themselves a 10. However, in Japan, where 200 people were surveyed, only 10 percent of the respondents say their kisses are perfect, with the largest number of people -- 46 percent -- opting for the more "average" marks of 5, 6 and 7. Of the Japanese men surveyed, 10 percent say their kisses rate between 1 and 4, in contrast to the global figure of 4 percent. For women, 4 percent of all respondents rate their kisses between 1 and 4, while the corresponding figure for their Japanese counterparts is 15 percent.

So what ? It's just that they don't overestimate themselves. It's just a matter of reference and way of rating. If you consider that 5 is the average and 10 is the perection that can only be achieved by a few people in the world, then I expect most results would revolve around 4 and 6. Did they give directions on the meaning of the score (e.g. 0 = never kiss, 1= worst imaginable, 2=...) ? Probably not. That disappoint me from professional international surveyist. I would never trust results from this company.

 

[thomas]

What can you expect from a publisher of romance novels?

 

[deborah gormley]

@ Thomas hahaha, great point!!
@ maciamo, I must agree on a personal level with you here. I want everyone to know that I'm a passionate kisser, and I rate a 10 in any country(hehe)how-ever depending on the mood, setting, exhaustion, levels etc. I am (in my opinion) average, so that makes me a 5 (maybe?), let's say that I'm not perfect all the time, realistically we are human, which makes us emotionally dependant on others(mum, dad,husband-wife, brother, sister, son, daughter,) to function as an individual., with-out these family members we are emotionless and with-out confidence(spell??, worry). We are unaware of others emotions, have you ever done or pondered the fact of letting your sister(mum) down on her day of moving home???? If the answer is "No" then all indications are that you are unlikely to let your wife(girlfriend)down on this stressful and important day!! Simply because you are aware of the implications and the emotional discontentment!! Family life (boyfriend, husband, etc.) are conditioned into us, good-kisser,bad-kisser is one of those conditions, passion is not a fault!! But a way of life and a must!!