Harlequin Romance Report Finds New Yorkers Lie, Cheat and Steal

According to 2008 Harlequin Romance Report, Confessions, 65% of New York women and 56% of New York men have told a lie to get out of a bad date

NEW YORK, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- New Yorkers are more likely to lie, cheat and steal than other people across the United States. This is just a taste of the findings in the 2008 Harlequin Romance Report, Confessions. The full text of this year's Harlequin Romance Report can be downloaded at http://www.harlequinromancereport.com/reports.php .

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080515/NYTH031 )

"To best understand today's romantic environment, we decided to survey more than 2,000 men and women across the United States and Canada," said Katherine Orr and Marleah Stout, Editors-in-Chief of the 2008 Harlequin Romance Report. "What we discovered -- especially when comparing New Yorkers to other Americans -- is that at the heart of every confession lies the truth about who we are."

For example, this year's Harlequin Romance Report found:

-- 68% of New York women say lies are okay when you want to get out of
the plans you've made compared to 52% of American women. And 57% of
New York men say lies are okay when you want to get out of the plans
you've made compared to 46% of American men.

-- 65% of New York women have told a lie to get out of a bad date
compared to 53% of American women. And 56% of New York men have told
a lie to get out of a bad date compared to 46% of American men.

-- 62% of New York women have used wax, electrolysis, or other hair
removals to enhance their physical appearance compared to 51% of
American women. And 40% of New York men have used wax, electrolysis,
or other hair removals to enhance their physical appearance compared
to 18% of American men.

Gotham gals made some other shocking confessions to the Harlequin Romance Report:

-- 62% of New York women have had a one night stand compared to 51% of
American women.

-- 59% of New York women have taken office supplies home from work
compared to 49% of American women.

-- 49% of New York women still have an ex boyfriend's phone number saved
on their phone compared to 35% of American women.

Alpha males in the Big Apple also made some shocking confessions to the Harlequin Romance Report. To enhance their physical appearance:

-- 39% of New York men have used hair dyes (salon or store bought)
compared to 15% of American men across the country.

-- 31% of New York men have used self-tanners or tanning beds compared to

15% of American men.

-- 18% of New York men have used tummy tucking underwear compared to 5%
of American men.

The Harlequin Romance Report found one more confession that's not as shocking about The City That Never Sleeps: 79% of New York women have gone out to the bars, clubs and parties in hopes that it would lead to a date compared to 65% of American women across the United States. And 69% of New York men have gone out to the bars, clubs and parties in hopes that it would lead to a date compared to 59% of American men across the country.

The Harlequin Romance Report also includes:

2008 Hottest Travel Destinations: For a walk on the wilder side -- complete with hedonistic parties, clothing optional beaches, indulgence, excess, and guilty pleasures -- the romance experts at Harlequin recommend Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Amsterdam, Holland, Ibiza, Spain, and other sinful travel destinations around the globe.

What's Hot and What's Not: The romance experts at Harlequin also provide a list of things you should do, including hot yoga, quick weekend getaways and video calls and a list of things you shouldn't, including step class, long vacations and emails.

Silver Screen Confessions: In addition, the romance experts at Harlequin have put together a list of the top 10 movies confession moments, including the one in MOONSTRUCK (1987) when one-handed baker Ronny Cammarei (Nicholas Cage) tells his brother's finance Loretta Castorini (Cher) that he loves her, and she slaps him in the face and orders him to "Snap out of it!"

This is just a taste of the findings in the 2008 Harlequin Romance Report, Confessions. The full text can be downloaded at http://www.harlequinromancereport.com/reports.php .

HARLEQUIN ENTERPRISES LIMITED is the global leader in series romance and one of the world's leading publishers of women's fiction, with titles issued worldwide in 25 languages and sold in 94 international markets. The company produces over 115 titles monthly and publishes more than 1,300 authors from around the world. HARLEQUIN ENTERPRISES LIMITED is a wholly owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation, a broadly based media company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TS.nv.b). Harlequin's Web site is located at www.eHarlequin.com . Harlequin has offices in 18 countries including Toronto, New York and London. For more information please visit
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080515/NYTH031
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Source: Harlequin Enterprises Limited

CONTACT: Don Lucey, Senior Writer, Public Relations of Harlequin
Enterprises Limited, +1-416-391-7094, don_lucey@harlequin.ca

Web site: http://www.eharlequin.com/
http://www.press.eharlequin.com/
http://www.harlequinromancereport.com/reports.php

NOTE TO EDITORS: For a copy of the 2008 Romance Report, to obtain a breakdown of the American statistics, or to arrange an interview with a Harlequin romance expert, please contact: Don Lucey Senior Writer, Public Relations Harlequin Enterprises Limited, (416) 391-7094 don_lucey@harlequin.ca

2008-05-15 20:03:28 0363588 PRNEWSWIRE