The perfect woman does not exist, a study of men has controversially revealed. In fact, NONE of the 2,000 men studied described their partner as flawless.
Whilst modern day men may be quick to talk about their ‘ideal woman’, it may not be what they want in reality- the research found that men actually rated their partner at just 67%, with common shortfalls including a bad temper, a dislike for sport and an obsession with cleanliness.
Other grumbles which stopped men from seeing their partner as perfect were a tendency to make a big deal of things, poor driving skills and the classic evening distraction- an insistence on watching soaps.
The research, conducted by haircare and grooming expert Remington, found eight in ten blokes are convinced the perfect woman does not exist.
However, the idea of ‘perfection’ isn’t what men are searching for – just a fifth say they’d want their partner to be perfect while half feel their current partner is ‘the one’ for them.
Vicky Williams, Remington Marketing Director, said:
“We are surprised that more men are unable to describe their partner as perfect, but it could be that they’re just more realistic in what they want.
“It’s good to see that the images of perfect models and celebrities that flood our media aren’t creating unrealistic expectations in people’s relationships.”
“Of course men may well be vocal in their appreciation of an Angelina Jolie or a Cheryl Cole in the pub with their mates but it shows that they know that these cannot be classed as real women.”
Taking too long to get ready was a big feature on the list of imperfections, ‘always having to have the last word’ was a big critique and some men even said, controversially, that their partner needed to shave their armpits more.
Six in ten men feel their partner deliberately tries to change them, with dress sense and diet the areas she’s most keen on ‘fixing’.
A surprising one in four men feel their partner tries to influence who they keep as friends and choose to socialise with.
However, more than a third thought that, when their partner does try to change things, it’s usually for the best overall.
If men were to change their partner, the first thing they would do is to try to make them be more relaxed- while more optimistically, getting them to enjoy sport and be more adventurous also featured in the list of what men would change.
One in four cheeky chaps even think their partner has let themselves go a bit since they first met.
Additionally, just four in ten men were confidently able to say that they fully understand their partner- in fact, a puzzled seven in ten said their partner often throws them with mood swings that they didn’t see coming.
But while perfection may not be real, men do appreciate their other halves – a quarter admit that they are ‘punching above their weight’ in relationship terms, and 45% would readily admit their partner is the more attractive person.
Just a fifth of men would actually want their partner to be 100% perfect, while 47% are convinced their current partner is ‘the one.’
The research follows a study in December of last year in which 2,000 women studied rated their partners at 69% perfect.
Vicky continued:
“In any relationship it’s not about striving to be perfect, but getting that balance between staying true to who you are and going the extra length to please a partner.
“While working on your appearance is something both genders appreciate in a partner, the biggest imperfections cited by both sexes are just little things that can easily be changed.
“The average woman may not be able to compete with the image of a Miranda Kerr but there are still a number of small changes they can do to make a big difference.
“Of course, there’ll always be disputes over what to watch on TV, driving styles and housework, but that shouldn’t determine whether people are right for one another.”
And it seems when it comes to relationships things really do get better with age – the under 25′s rated their partner’s most harshly in terms of perfections while the over 55′s scored their partners the most favourably.
Those under 25 were also twice as likely as the older generations to believe in the concept of a completely perfect woman.
When pushed to name their perfect celebrity woman, British men were most likely to vote for Kelly Brook, followed by Cheryl Cole with Holly Willoughby in third.
TOP 20 IMPERFECTIONS MEN SEE IN WOMEN
1. Watches too many soaps
2. Always has the last word
3. Makes a big deal of things
4. Nags too often
5. Gets grumpy too easily
6. Criticises his driving
7. Moans when sport is on
8. She snores
9. She takes too long getting ready
10. She cleans obsessively
11. Burping or farting when he’s around
12. Tries to change his dress sense
13. Being lazy
14. Drives too slowly
15. Goes to toilet with door open
16. She doesn’t get on with his family
17. Unsafe driver
18. Leaves girly things in his space
19. Doesn’t make an effort with his friends
20. She shares his toothbrush
TOP 20 IMPERFECTIONS WOMEN SEE IN MEN
1. Not getting on with her family
2. Using her toothbrush
3. Leaving the toilet dirty
4. Hating her friends
5. Not being good with children
6. Being lazy
7. Having a big bushy beard
8. Leaves nail clippings out
9. Driving like a boy racer
10. Being grumpy
11. Being a mummy’s boy
12. Going to the toilet with the door open
13. Leaving dirty washing on the floor
14. Unkempt facial hair
15. Criticising her driving
16. Burping or farting when she’s in the room
17. Not liking dogs
18. Not helping with washing up
19. Watching too much sport
20. Not helping with the cooking
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