News 2001
UK to get textual healing on Valentine's Day
05/02/2001
Virgin Mobile 'love poll' reveals:
Text messaging is cupid's new arrow, a survey has revealed. The 'love poll', commissioned by Virgin Mobile, has found that a quarter of all Brits plan to give each other 'textual healing' this Valentine's Day, by sending an amorous message to a lover on their mobile phone.
Over three-quarters of those polled said they wouldn't be upset about receiving a Valentine's text message (SMS) instead of the traditional card or flowers from their loved ones.
These findings prove that text messaging is well on its way to becoming the top aid to romance and dating in the 21st Century.
The Virgin Mobile 'love poll' reveals that while 43% of people believe text messaging makes people more flirty, the UK is not quite ready for the latest US phenomenon, 'dating roulette' - where text messages are sent at random to set up blind dates. 69% of people said they would ignore such an unsolicited invite and 4% may even be alarmed enough to call the police! Nearly one in five would reply to the SMS, and 3% admitted they would consider arranging a date with the stranger.
Unsurprisingly, text messaging is a great 'pulling tool' for the young, free and single. Nearly one in two (42%) would definitely use their mobile to SMS someone to ask them out on a date. Half of singles regularly use text messaging to flirt with someone they fancy. And this February 14th, 40% plan to send a Valentine's text message.
53% of singles use text messaging as a form of Dutch Courage, as they believe asking someone out on a date over a text message is far less embarrassing than a face-to-face encounter. And one in four think they might even get lucky this Valentines Day, as they believe texting allows them to be more promiscuous.
But what of the couples? The 'love poll' reveals that 50% of 'spoken for' and married people would send romantic messages this Valentine's - but these may not be to their partners, as a sneaky 6% would send their declarations of love to an ex on February 14th.
Men are bolder when it comes to sending saucy text messages. 34% of males would send a message to someone they fancy, as opposed to 19% of females. Although it should be taken into account that 30% of males send messages when they are drunk.
With everything said, there are still one or two Valentines traditions we want to hold on to when it comes to text messaging - over one in five of us plan to send anonymous text messages on February 14th.
Virgin Mobile spokesman Steven Day comments: "Whoever said romance is dead has obviously never used a mobile phone. Instead of counting how many Valentines cards we get this year, we'll be keeping our eyes out for the number of messages we receive on our phones."
With Virgin Mobile sending a text message costs 10p. There's no line rental to pay or contract to sign and the calls are cheap too - you pay 15p a minute for the first five minutes of use each day and 5p a minute after that. And every customer can access the unique VirginXtras service. At the press of a button, you can save hundreds of pounds on Virgin Holidays and Virgin Sun, get 15% off CDs, DVDs, videos and computer games and up to 50% off electrical goods such as TVs and electrical appliances.
During February, Virgin Mobile will be running a special promotion. Consumers can get £20 off the price of all handsets, if they spend £20 on airtime.
For further information, please contact:
Steven Day, Virgin Mobile, 07931 777 777
Debra Burtt/Julia Clarke, Consolidated Communications, 020 7287 2087
Note to editors:
- Research was carried out by Taylor Nelson Sofres on 23rd - 25th January 2001, among 1,010 adults across Great Britain
Key findings of the Virgin Mobile 'love poll'
- Over one in four mobile phone users would send a text message to mark Valentines Day
- 78% of people would not be offended if they received a Valentines text message instead of a card or flowers
- Over one in five to send an anonymous Valentines message on Feb 14th
- 50% of singles would send a text message to someone they fancy
- 22% of people think that text messaging makes people more promiscuous
- Nearly one in five would text message someone to ask them out on a date
- 15% of people would use text messaging to dump a partner or date
- Nearly one in two would send a romantic Valentines message to a loved one
- One in three would send a joke Valentines message
- 6% of married people would send a romantic message to an ex-partner
- 43% of people believe that text messaging make people more flirty with someone they fancy
- Nearly two in three believe that text message allows people to stay in contact more
- Almost 20% of people would reply to a dating roulette text message
Virgin Mobile Lexicon of Love
| (0) (0) | I AM A WELL-ENDOWED FEMALE |
| - )^< | I AM A BIG BOY |
| - )8< | I AM A BIG GIRL |
| ^_^ | BLUSHING |
| BK | BIG KISS |
| GBH&K | GREAT BIG HUGS & KISSES |
| HAK | HUGS & KISSES |
| {YOU} | HUG |
| :-* | KISS |
| BF | BOYFRIEND |
| GF | GIRLFRIEND |
| HOYEW | HANGING ON YOUR EVERY WORD |
| KOTL | KISS ON THE LIPS |
| MAY | MAD ABOUT YOU |
| SWALK | SEALED WITH A LOVING KISS |
| VH | VIRTUAL HUG |
| FOW | GO AWAY AND PLAY WITH YOURSELF |
