13 Love Myths Debunked

Here at Yahoo Lifestyle we get sent dozens of press releases every day with that latest dating facts and figures ranging from the bleedin’ obvious to the downright bonkers.
 
The latest ‘fact’ that sounds totally made up to us is that tall men are twice as likely to cheat in a relationship, according to IllicitEncounters.com – a dating website for people that want to have affairs.

It got us thinking about the more ludicrous stats we’ve been sent over the years and wondered if you could tell the difference between ‘facts’ and old wives tales?

Opposites attract

OLD WIVES' TALE – Psychologist Donn Byrne found that people are twice as likely to fancy someone who we agree with on six out of 10 issues compare to three out of 10. And anyway, that friction caused by dating your polar opposite might feel like intense sexual tension but in the long term it’s bad news. Experts at the University of Mississippi found that sharing the same core values and beliefs makes couples feel closer.

Love is blind

FACT – When we experience feelings of love, the rational parts of the human brain shut down.  A study carried out at University College London found that once we get close to someone, these parts are affected by “rose-tinted spectacle syndrome” and we are less likely to critically assess the person.

Love makes the world move in slow motion

FACT – Research from Seattle Pacific University shows that walking next to a romantic partner slows down your pace by seven per cent.

Italians make the best lovers

FACT – Well, they’re the ones we fancy the most! A study found that 28 per cent of Brits would choose an Italian foreign lover if they had the choice, beating the Spanish and French by miles.

I only have eyes for you

FACT – It might seem like a soppy cliché but men in relationships really do only have eyes for their partners. A study at Florida State University asked men to spend a few minutes writing about their lover, then showed them pictures of beautiful women.

Men in committed relationships unconsciously looked away, which researchers suggest points to hardwiring in the brain that encourages monogamy.

Try before you buy

OLD WIVES' TALE – Many people think that moving in together before marriage is an important step for a happy relationship.

However, the ‘cohabitation effect’ suggests that couples that live together before getting married are MORE likely to get divorced. ‘Sliding into’ marriage as the next logical step or to please family members are 40 per cent more likely to split.

TV kills your sex life

OLD WIVES' TALE – Brits in relationships who have a TV in their bedroom have sex, on average, twice as many times per week than those who don’t, according to a survey by VoucherCodesPro.co.uk.

Men don’t fake orgasms

OLD WIVES TALE – Not only do men fake orgasms but they are three times more likely to do so with their wives than their mistresses, according to IllicitEncounters.com

Men don’t understand women

FACT – Does is ever feel like your partner is listening but they haven’t got a clue what you’re on about? You’re not the only one. Research has found that men are twice as bad at guessing women’s emotions than other blokes, just by looking at their eyes.

Piscean men are the biggest cheaters

FACT – Pisces is the most common star sign for members of IllicitEncounters.com.

The Seven Year Itch

OLD WIVES' TALE – This myth might not be true but it’s not exactly good news. Rather than waiting a whole seven years to get bored of each other, the biggest lull in attraction for couples happens between the third and sixth years together.

According to Victoria Milan, another website that helps people looking to start an affair, 45 per cent of cheating men reckon the honeymoon period wears off after three years of marriage. Great.

Chivalry is dead

FACT – In this reporter's view, men have been very quick to drop chivalry but rather slow at picking up on feminism and equality. Turns out we’re not alone as two out of three Brits reckon that modern men have lost the art of chivalry.

And yes it might seem old fashioned, but give up your seat on the tube once in a while okay? It’ll do wonders for your karma and you’ll feel good about yourself.

Married men are more attractive/get more women

FACT – Sad but true, a wedding ring actually makes men more attractive to some women. When asked by IllictEncounters.com, 68 per cent of female members found men wearing a wedding ring more attractive than those who don’t. But these are women who are looking to have affairs so perhaps this should be taken with a pinch of salt…

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