Insight

Nice guys finish first this Valentine’s Day

Nice guys finish first this Valentine’s Day

The old saying ?nice guys finish last? may not be around for much longer. Findings from Opinium Research reveal it?s nowhere near the truth!

Valentine?s Day research found three fifths of women (59%) admitted they prefer ?nice guys? to their ?bad boy? counterparts, and perhaps unsurprisingly men across the country continue to get it wrong when it comes to what women want. Almost half of the men surveyed (46%) still believe that women prefer a ?bad boy?, compared to just 12% who correctly think girls favour the nice guys out there.

While ?bad boys?, who are seen as ?rebellious? and ?arrogant?, may be publically heralded as pin ups, less than a fifth (18%) actually said that they are more attracted to them than nice guys, who are ?considerate? and have ?good manners?.

The survey also revealed what characteristics Brits look for in a partner – the most sought after attribute for British women is honesty (58%), closely followed by a good sense of humour (52%). Only a fifth of women (22%) cite good looks as important trait in a partner, compared to 38% of men ? almost double!

James Endersby, managing director of Opinium Research, commented: ?It comes around quicker every year, and as Valentine?s Day fever takes hold it?s impossible to avoid whether you?re happily coupled up or single and ready to mingle! The message is coming loud and clear from British women this year, so for those men trying to attract a lucky someone, bear in mind that playing it cool may not do the trick this year as it seems women are really after a classic Prince Charming!?

Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,010 UK adults aged 18+ from 27th to 30th January 2012. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.

Opinium Research carried out an additional online survey of 982 UK males adults aged 18+ from 3rd to 6th February 2012 asking the following: Do you think that women are more attracted to ‘bad guys’ or ‘nice guys’? Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.

This survey is conducted online by CAWI (computer aided web interviewing), using Opinium?s online research panel of circa 25,000 individuals. This research is run from a representative sample of UK adults (aged 18+ in England, Scotland and Wales). The sample is scientifically defined from pre-collected registration data containing gender, age (18-34, 35-54, and 55+), region (North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humberside, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), working status and social grade to match the latest published ONS figures.

Opinium also takes into account differential response rates from the different demographic groups, to ensure the sample is representative.