The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
It's official. Few men can resist the seductive charms of a Canadian woman! The results of a new global Harlequin survey are in and it seems a remarkable 80 per cent of Canadians believe women are the superior sex when it comes to seduction. The survey was conducted among more than 6,000 men and women in 20 countries as part of Harlequin's 2004 Romance Report. "With 62 per cent of Canadians convinced that looks are the most seductive attribute in a partner, women have a definite advantage when it comes to seduction," said Harlequin Vice President, Katherine Orr. "But looks alone do not ensure success. The best seducers are often people who make use of less tangible qualities like a good sense of humour." The survey also revealed that food and drink can help set the stage. Champagne (58 per cent), strawberries and whipped cream (19 per cent), and chocolate (10 per cent) ranked as the most popular foods used by Canadians in seduction. Five percent of Canadians surveyed even paid homage to the Maritimes, citing lobster and butter as their secret weapon. Other survey findings from Harlequin's 2004 Romance include: Forty-one per cent of Canadians say the way someone carries himself is the most effective physical charm used to seduce. See 'Ranking' P.# Con't from P.# Other things that turn Canadians on Ð 19 per cent say a soft touch or brushing of the skin, and 14 per cent say an intense, passionate gaze. The survey also reveals that 24 per cent of Germans say an infectious laugh will do the trick seducing, while 23 per cent of Hungarians think the way a person is dressed will make all the difference. Only 15 per cent of Canadians found money to be a seductive force, proving that there are some things money can't buy. Not so in Japan! A surprising 51 per cent of Japanese respondents found money to be the most seductive attribute in a potential partner. Forty-three per cent of Canadians, compared to 52 per cent worldwide, said they could succumb to the advances of someone they are not attracted to, if that person used the right means! Seventy-three per cent of Norwegians and 70 per cent of Greeks agreed, while those tactics fool only 36 per cent of Mexicans. The 2004 Harlequin Romance Report also includes a highly anticipated ranking of Hollywood's most seductive celebrities. The sensuous Catherine Zeta-Jones beat out 'bootylicious' Beyonc Knowles to become Harlequin's most seductive female celebrity of 2004. Beyonc took second place, followed by Monica Bellucci, Diane Lane and Salma Hayek, who rounded out the top five. Viggo Mortensen proved that The Ring really is king, taking home top honours as 2004's most seductive male celebrity. Johnny Depp, Jon Stewart, George Clooney and fellow Lord of the Rings cast mate Orlando Bloom joined Mortensen as top picks. Other notable celebrities include Canadian Carrie-Anne Moss and Queen Latifah, who made the rankings for the first time this year as the seventh and eighth most seductive female celebrities. Proving that age knows no boundaries, 28-year old Mekhi Phifer and 43-year old Antonio Banderas rank as Harlequin's ninth and tenth most seductive male celebrities. The 2004 Romance Report also ranks top picks for the most seductive singers and movies of all time: The master of seduction knows the importance of good music, that's why most choose to move to the sounds of Barry White. With his soulful music and velvet voice, the late Barry White ranks as the most seductive singer in history. Marvin Gaye and Norah Jones round out the top three singers who get us in the mood. After surveying 100 entertainment editors from newspapers across North America, it seems the 1980s proved to be a popular time for seduction. 9 1/2 Weeks (1986) ranks the most seductive movie, followed by Unfaithful (2002), Body Heat (1981) and Fatal Attraction (1987). Other '80s movies that made the list are Dirty Dancing (1987) and Dangerous Liaisons (1988). Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. is one of the world's leading publishers of women's fiction. Its books are published worldwide in 27 languages and sold in 94 international markets. Founded in Winnipeg in 1949 by Richard Bonnycastle, the company publishes 100 titles monthly and publishes more than 1,000 authors from around the world.
