How to impress at the check out: Women admit to sizing up men by their shopping

Women have come clean and confessed to a guilty shopping secret. A new survey reveals that nearly nine out of ten women in the UK judge their fellow shoppers on the contents of their shopping basket. When it comes to sizing up men, it seems that nothing impresses women more than a man who buys red wine and potatoes.

These findings lift the lid on just how far women go when eyeing up men at the checkout, revealing that they decide what their income is, what kind of lifestyle they lead and whether they’d make a good partner or even father, all based upon the contents of their shopping. A bottle of red wine (95%) and new potatoes (93%) top the list of grocery items which women associate with a man who has a good job, beating other everyday purchases such as mince, soup, fish and ketchup. Fresh fruit and vegetables in the basket are good sign too – so say 87% of women who named new potatoes, joint with apples, as the top items that show a man would make a good partner or husband. Likewise, apples, cucumbers (both 88%) and new potatoes (86%) top the list of items women associate with a man who would make a good father. The big basket turn-offs for women include cans of lager with more than eight in ten women associating them with a man who leads an unhealthy lifestyle. Instant soup convinces 86% of women that a man is lazy and 80% that he has a poor job and salary. In less time than it can take a man to decide between a shopping basket and a shopping trolley, women have sized men up and come to some big conclusions. In under 10 seconds, two thirds of women will have checked out his shopping and decided if a man leads a healthy lifestyle, 62% will have determined if he takes care of himself and six in ten whether he has a lot of money. Relationship expert Kate Taylor comments: “Women are trained to spot suitable mates, and have many unconscious ways of assessing a man’s partnership potential – including his height, the symmetry of his features and even his smell. Secretly snooping at a man’s shopping is just the modern way of seeing what kind of provider he would be. Some shopping basket items clearly have more “attractive” associations for women than others. As most “attractive” qualities are actually signs of fertility – like healthy skin tone or an inverse V shaped male torso – men should not overlook the pulling power of certain foods such as potatoes and apples. Women subconsciously want good fathers for their kids. New potatoes probably rank highly because they are healthy and take little time to prepare – a good father doesn’t lock himself in the kitchen for hours to try to escape from his other domestic duties. Seeing fresh fruit and veg in a man’s shopping basket also inspires women to think he takes good care of himself. This personality trait is amazingly attractive, especially to modern women who know they won’t have time to nag a partner about his health or take on the overhauling of his diet like a big project. As women constantly stretch themselves to improve, they want men who can keep up. So potatoes, apples and other healthy fruit and veg say ‘You won’t have to mother me’ which is highly desirable.” When it comes to the foods that a man needs to buy in order for a woman to want him to cook for her, new potatoes top the list (two thirds of respondents) followed by onions (61%), other potatoes (e.g. baking or roasting potatoes) and a bottle of red wine (both with 55% of the vote). The survey also reveals that nearly two thirds of women will decide that a man buying potatoes or new potatoes is interested in cooking, 58% will assume that he is healthy and 54% will deem that he is practical - proving he can look after himself. Men in the South West should be particularly wary of what they put in their shopping baskets as more women (91%) judge others on what they buy than any other region. If they want to impress women, men should also ensure that they put new potatoes in their baskets as they are the top item that women in the region associate with a healthy lifestyle (98%) and good partner material (92%). **REGIONAL STATISTICS AVALIABLE ON REQUEST** - Ends - For potato facts, recipes, images and nutritional information visit www.lovepotatoes.co.uk For further information or to arrange an interview with relationship expert Kate Taylor please contact: Maud Davis Cat Cambridge Ceres Ceres Tel: 0118 947 5956 Tel: 0118 947 5956 E: maud.davis@ceres-pr.co.uk cat.cambridge@ceres-pr.co.uk Editor’s notes: • Online national survey conducted by OnePoll amongst 2,000 women aged 25-45 on 2 August 2010 • Analysis based upon food and drink items from the 10 most frequently purchased items in various food groups including fruit, vegetables and salad, meat, fish, food products (including ready meals, sauces and soups) and alcoholic drinks. Data provided by the University of Kent • Food Groups determined according to food groups within the Consumer Prices Index • Potato Council, a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), is funded by a levy from potato growers and purchasers to promote and support the British potato industry. Potato Council aims to increase usage and the consumption of potatoes, and improve the competitiveness of the British industry in the domestic and overseas markets • Kate Taylor is the resident relationship expert at match.com. She is regularly called upon by print and broadcast media for her expertise in everything from revitalising tired relationships and sparking a chemical attraction, to crafting the perfect dating profile or making a great first impression. Her advice not only helps to reignite dying passions in existing relationships but gives singles the confidence they need to enjoy their new found status and get out there dating. Kate has been the author of GQ Magazine’s popular ‘sex life’ column and The Sun’s dedicated sex and relationship expert. She has written five books including: The Wedding Survival Guide, The Good Orgasm Guide and Not Tonight, Mr Right, and has co-written and presented two series for Channel Four; Sex Tips For Girls and More Sex Tips For Girls. In 2009, her latest book, Domestic Sex Goddess, hit shelves to great acclaim.

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