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Beauty may be subjective, but love is universal. The thrill of the chase, love at first sight, and tearful break-ups are not limited to cheesy plots in Rom-Coms or romance novels with rugged pirates on the cover. All over the globe, there are people who have found love, are looking for “the one,” or picking up the pieces of their broken heart. For this Valentine’s Day, I’d like to share some of the tantalizing online polls we have at Queendom.com. Here are the juiciest bits – and feel free to cast your vote too!

Let’s talk about love

  • 45% of women and 43% men indicated that they are currently in love; an additional 11% of women and 14% said that they do love someone…but it’s from afar.
  • 39% of women and 33% men are still friends with their ex.
  • Only 35% of women and 44% of men said that they fully trust their partner.
  • 64% of women and 66% of men would leave their country and live abroad to be with the love of their life.
  • 56% of women and 57% of men admitted that they frequently think about their first love.
  • 53% of women and 24% of men claimed they would still find their partner attractive if he or she started losing hair. In a related poll, 49% of women and 33% of men would still be attracted to their partner if he or she gained 20 pounds.
  • 44% of women and 61% of men would lie under oath to save their partner from being punished for a minor crime.
  • 36% of women and 42% of men don’t consider it necessary for their partner to share their religious beliefs.

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  • 47% of women and 61% of men would not think twice about risking their life to save their partner.
  • 41% of women and 49% of men believe that they are more intelligent than their partner.
  • 30% of women and 22% of men feel that their partner’s computer use interferes with their relationship.
  • The top 3 things that instigate couples to argue: Stress/Fatigue, jealousy, and money.
  • The top 3 things that women look for in a partner: personality, intelligence, and facial attractiveness. The top 3 things men look for: personality, intelligence, and the attractiveness of their partner’s body.

Let’s talk about sex

  • 27% of women and 43% of men said that it doesn’t really bother them when their partner checks out someone else.
  • 63% of women and 68% men have no problem with pre-marital sex.
  • 35% of women and 53% of men would be fine with their partner going to a strip club on more than one occasion.
  • 57% of women and 51% men believe that it’s absolutely possible for a heterosexual woman and man to be just friends…without benefits!
  • 42% of women and 47% claim that warm weather increases their sex drive.
  • The most common fib told to get someone into bed: Women lied about how many people they slept with, typically downgrading the number of previous sex partners. Men lied about their feelings and intentions.

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While we may not collectively agree on political and religious views, when it comes to love everyone is in the same boat. It doesn’t matter where you are from, the color of your skin, your sexual orientation or what language you speak – chances are you’ve been in love, be it mutual or one-sided, or had your heart broken. Yet no matter how many times we are left with broken hearts and tell ourselves “never again,” we just can’t help but get drawn in once more. That’s the splendor of love.

Truth be told, Valentine’s Day can be very stressful, bringing up loads of expectations that are oftentimes not very realistic (“He only got me a dozen roses last year,” I heard a girl whine in the store yesterday. “He better be planning something better this year.”). When we create unrealistic expectations, it sets the stage for failure, especially if those expectations are not expressed. And if Valentine’s Day is treacherous territory if you’re in a relationship, it’s a freaking field of landmines if you’re single. I’ve sometimes felt the need to stay indoors on Valentine’s Day. If you venture out on your own you get that look; that sad, sympathetic look that says, “Oh your poor thing. You’re all alone today, aren’t ya?”

Valentine’s Day blues is a real phenomenon people, and it leaves a lot of single men and women in the midst of psychological distress for weeks before and after. Last Valentine’s Day, however, I decided that I would not allow myself to be sad about being single. I got dressed up, mustered all the confidence I could, and stopped to pick up tea and a heart-shaped cookie on the way to work as a treat to myself. In the span of 10 minutes I was smiled at by no less than half a dozen chivalrous men who insisted on opening doors for me and letting me pass ahead of them in line. I walked out of that coffee shop with a grin on my face and the strut of a runway model.

If you are in a relationship, agree to celebrate in a meaningful yet simple way. And if you are single, then realize that this holiday is about a celebration of love, in whatever form; you do not have to be in a relationship in order to feel love. Spend the day showering love on a family member, a friend, or a pet. Spread the love volunteering in a senior residence. Or simply treat yourself to an amazing day, because you deserve it. Love is love, in whatever form it suits you.

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Happy love day to you all,

Queen D