When it comes to romance and intimacy, men are more interested and likely to accept casual romance from a stranger than women, according to the seminal 1989 study. But the recent survey has proved that it was wrong.

A team of German researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz has revealed that the rates of interest in casual romance are exactly the same for men and women. For the study, the researchers took 60 men and women into a lab under the guise of testing for an online dating site.

They were shown pictures of opposite sex and told that these men or women had seen his or her picture and were either interested in a date or romance. The team left them alone to decide which potential suitors they would date or sleep with. If subjects were interested in romance with any of the people in the photos who also expressed that desire toward them, a date would be arranged, researchers told the participants. The team also told the participants here that they would film the first 30 minutes of the date to ensure their safety.

“The findings show that when societal judgement and safety risks are removed, women are more likely to accept romance propositions from strangers,” the authors concluded.

Both men and women like surprises and when it comes to the intimacy with the partners, the casual and unexpected romance will make the bond between them stronger.

BY Lizitha