h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

An odd question, I realise. Let me explain.

I recently joined an online dating service, as a result of which I've been looking through a lot of personal profiles posted by women in the 30-50 age range, in which they talk about themselves and what they'd like from a relationship. One thing that has come to fascinate me is the amazing number of times they mention wanting someone with whom they could sit at home and share a bottle of red wine. It seems to crop up almost as often as 'good sense of humour'.

What is puzzling me is: why is it always, without fail, RED wine? Do no women out there prefer white, or rosé, or even ?

Snob value?

White wine tends not to have such a 'refined' image as red...

Real snobs drink red wine - 'oiks' drink white (according to the snobs that is!)

Well I'm a woman and I detest red wine! ..not so keen on white either.. Much ,much happier with a JD n coke

I think maybe perhaps more than being snobby.. red wine has become a sterotype of what we should consider romantic along with heart shaped boxes of s, red roses etc when in truth what really is romantic is what the person would most enjoy!

Good question.

It could be that you're looking at the profiles of sophisticated women who are aware that:

1. White wine can be pretty nasty.
2. Rose is an abomination.
3. Beer makes you fat.
4. Alcopops make you sick.

Red wine is therefore the drink of choice!

You forgot spirits there

It's a stereotype.

, all!

Serephina, I suspect you're probably right, and a lot of people are writing what they think is expected of them because it feels safer than saying what they really feel as an individual. I'm much more attracted to the quirky profiles, the ones that avoid the cliches and seem like someone actually talking about themselves.

Rather than being 'safer' I'd say it could be more of a little psycholigal ploy.. with the idea that to by sneakily giving someone tradional romantic images (red wine,,roses etc) they're more likely to link you with romance.

psychological even

I think its the safe cliche thing. Do they all describe themselves as 'bubbly' too?

You mean as in ," bubbly , funloving female with good sense of humour, likes the good things in life, long walks, nights in with a bottle of wine..seeks.blah blah blah"

its almost standard isnt it

...Fat angry man, poor sense of taste, no dress sense, lack of image, seeks likeminded female for riotous nights out drinking beer in dark pubs, and kebab eating...

you sure youre not my long lost twin brother 2 legs?

Maybe it's because red wine stains your lips so that they are redder, which also happens when you are aroused, because more blood flows to your lips. I think this is also the idea behind red lipstick supposedly being sexy.

Me, your long lost twin brother, Serephina.. You might just have something there

no I think too much makes your nose red

No-one ever says 'fat' in the ads or profiles, 2Legs. It's always 'cuddly'. By the same token, no-one says 'rich' - it's always 'solvent' or 'professional'.

And yes, Marj, 'bubbly' does come up a lot. I must say that I find that quite an off-putting word. Bubbles are filled with air, and 'bubbly' makes me think that the person's head might be likewise.

I've just had a look at the 'men seeking women' ads in my local paper to see if I could spot the equivalent male cliche. I think it's probably 'caring'.

Oh, I thought that *was* what bubbly meant in conjunction with personality.

Translating personal ads...

Funloving=always
Bubbly=talks too much
Early thirties=35-38
Thirties=39, and my birthday's next week
Mid thirties=40
Late thirties=44
GSOH=NSOH
Cuddly=undertall

I'd say the cliche for the lads is 'athletic build' or something like that most likely..which roughly translates as only half a beer belly but im working on it

Red wine is not the slightest bit romantic - it stains far too easily. Some women (me, for instance) are allergic to it. "Cuddly" women (again me, for instance) know that dry white whine is a) more sophisticated and b) contains fewer calories.Dry champagne is best of all. Personally, I'm a malt whisky drinker, but I doubt you've found many of those.