It’s not only taps that are getting turned on in the bathroom, according to a new survey by Hansgrohe about global showering habits.
The survey was conducted in December 2015 by a market research company amongst 1911 men and women, aged 18-55 years with different socio-economic backgrounds and from different regions in China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, South Africa, Spain, The Netherlands and the United States of America.
Showering in Pairs
Research has revealed that 47% of people across the globe are doubling their fun when it comes to showering by taking one with their partner. Whilst the Brits perpetuate their prudish stereotype with only 32% of them enjoying a communal shower experience, almost twice as many South Africans admitted to regularly doing so (52%). 25% of British singletons however, overtake the global average of just 19% who admit to enjoying some company in the shower. French and Italian singles top the list at 28% each. Loved-up couples are driving the score internationally with 55% using their shower for romantic trysts and with 62% of South African lovers particularly partial to indulging in the pleasure of showering in company.
The survey results also show that younger lovers are more likely to favour a rendezvous behind the shower curtain. More than half of 18-35 year olds admitted to regularly showering with someone else (54%) and just over a third of 45-55 year olds (35%) admitted to doing the same. In Europe, Asia and South Africa however, an impressive 58% of 25-35 year olds admitted to their love of some twosome shower time.
Yearning for Bigger Showers
The respondents also said that size matters – when it comes to picking the right shower that is. Over 71% are reportedly yearning for something bigger, with the Americans at 82%, the Chinese at 80%, Europeans at 66% and South Africans at 79%. However, 76% of them said they would prefer the extra space to store their shampoo and other product bottles as opposed to making room for an extra body. Joachim Huber, Head of Hansgrohe Brand Marketing International, said, “It is clear from our survey that people are seeing the benefits of sensual showers. Our Rainmaker Select overhead showers and Raindance Select hand showers have large spray discs that offer a generous and sensual water experience for both singles and couples. Our survey has shown that preferences for different spray types vary greatly across the globe – from massage sprays to gentle or powerful rain showers, to jet sprays covering neck and shoulders from above.”
Different Shower Habits Amongst Men and Women
The survey also explored how showering habits differ according to gender and relationship status. It was found that 41% of couples living together prefer to use their bathroom as a calm retreat where they can relax and enjoy some time on their own. The opposite was found to be true in 32% of couples that do not share living space. The results also showed that 75% of women are more likely to seek solitude in the shower compared to 69% of men, of which 52% admitted to using it as a place of refuge for peace and quiet and 48% because they value their privacy in the bathroom.
On the question of water temperature preferences, a significant 8% of men admitted to actually preferring a cold shower compared to only 4% of women. 76% of the people surveyed seemed to be “lukewarm” about hot showers, saying they have them due to force of habit (59%) or because it helps them to relax (41%).
Shared Bathrooms
The stereotype of prudish bathroom behaviour is also eliminated when looking at whether people share a bathroom as well as the shower. 23% of respondents say they’re not alone in the bathroom while showering, with only 4% attributing this to the typical rush hour bathroom congestion.
