Harlequin Uncovers the Truth Behind First Impressions

NEW YORK, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Meeting new people, especially those
that actually pique our interest, is a challenge for most of us,
reveals Harlequin Enterprises' 17th-annual Romance Report.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060126/NYTH101 )

This year's report from Harlequin, a leading publisher of women's
fiction, found we may all hope to stumble upon our perfect match in a
serendipitous twist of fate, but we just don't seem to walk the walk
when it comes to acting on our whims.

"We like to examine and challenge the convergence of reality and
romance," says Katherine Orr, vice president of Harlequin Enterprises,
Ltd. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we want to remind people that
romance can still exist in this day and age -- even with
over-programmed and time-starved schedules."

More than 1,000 men and women across the United States dished the
inside scoop on everything from the perfect first meeting to the truth
about the fabricated encounters that we all like to believe happen by
chance. The report also divulges that as for finding a love match, the
person of your dreams may be right around the corner. The Laundromat,
library, school, coffee house and health club were rated as the top
places to meet a mate. International Communications Research conducted
the survey.

Have you ever encountered someone you were interested in but did not
act upon it? An impressive 85 percent of both men and women we asked
said that they do not have trouble meeting people. Yet, about two
thirds admit to not following their instincts when first encountering
someone to whom they are attracted. When asked what's preventing us
from meeting the right person, men and women agree that: "no time"
ranks highest followed by "no good places to meet" and then "all the
good ones are taken."

Men and women further agree to a certain point as to what most
attracts them to someone in a first encounter. About 40 percent of
both genders believe intelligence is important and about 20 percent
cite confidence. Men, however, are more attracted to physical
appearances (61 percent) than women (47 percent); and for almost three
quarters of women, it is all about a sense of humor (72 percent) as
opposed to just 62 percent of males who rank it as most important.

Yet, it's all a matter of perception when it comes to what's
attractive to the other. For example, 78 percent of women believe men
are all about the physical appearance, when, in fact, only 61 percent
of men say that is what grabs them during a first encounter.

When asked what they've done to attract someone's attention, men and
women admit to their top three mistakes: drinking too much, spending
the night on a first date and lying about a marital relationship.

Although the element of chance is entangled in some of Hollywood's
greatest love stories, many men and women with hectic schedules say
that's more difficult in real life. Harlequin's recent survey reveals
serendipity is still believed to be love's greatest accomplice. When
asked how they met their significant other, "by chance" was among the
top two responses, preceded only by "through friends."

And then there are those who leave nothing to chance. Seventeen
percent of those surveyed admit to fabricating an encounter to make it
look like an unforeseen meeting. SOURCE Harlequin Enterprises Limited