MOSCOW, February 11, 2010. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data concerning describing what qualities attract man and women in each other, how easy or hard is to find a partner, what makes people to feel lonely and how they save themselves from loneliness.

Intellect and decency are more important than good appearance! In whole during the last decade hierarchy of the most valuable qualities of men didn't changed noticeably. The main quality is still intellect (63%) and then decency (57%), their significance even increased (in 2000 - 59 and 53%). The third place belongs to housekeeping skills (38%, 34% ten years ago). More rarely Russians notice ability to resist misfortune, care and fidelity (by 22%), their significance during the recent years even decreased (from 28%). Slightly less important qualities are independence (13% vs. 17% in 2000). Only 9% of respondents highlight emotional closeness, 8% - visual appeal and temperament. The least significant for men qualities are easy temper (4%) and sexuality (2%).

Regarding the most valuable qualities of men in the view of women respondents attach more than Russians in general attention to decency (61% vs. 57% in all sample), care (27% vs. 22%) and fidelity (27% vs. 22%). Less valuable qualities are an ability to resist misfortune (17% vs. 22%).

Women of 18-24 years old find very important the presence of temperament and independence (15 and 13%). Those who younger then 34 years think that intellect (70-72%) and visual appeal (15-19%) are more significant. Women of 25-34 years old appreciate the ability to resist misfortune (21%). The older Russian women are, the more valuable qualities for them are decency (63-69% of respondents in the age of 45 years) and housekeeping skills (45-47% women older than 35 years).

Ideal woman is clever, attractive and likes housekeeping. What about the most valuable women's qualities they are housekeeping skills (47% as ten years ago), intellect (37% vs. 31% in 2000), decency (34% vs. 31%). Less important are visual appeal (34% vs. 40%) and fidelity (28% vs. 34%). One third of respondents notice care (30%). Rarely emotional closeness (18%), easy temper (13%), ability to resist misfortune (10%, 14% in 2000), sexuality (9%) are stated. The minority of Russians named independence (6%) and temperament (5%).

Men more than all respondents in general are inclined to appreciate in women visual appeal (44% vs. 34% in all sample), fidelity (33% vs. 28%) and sexuality (14% vs. 9%) and, on the contrary, seldom think about intellect (33% vs. 37%), decency (30% vs. 34%), independence (2% vs. 6%). Young men (18-24 years old) more often give attention to women's visual appeal (54%) and sexuality (27%), men of 25-34 years old - to intellect (44%). Housekeeping skills is equally appreciated by all men (48-52%) excluding the youngest respondents (38%). Care is important for men older than 45 years (33-34%).

Most Russians recognize that it is difficult to find a partner nowadays (70%). This opinion is mainly pointed by women (76% vs. 63% of men). Only 18% of our fellow-citizens are sure that there are no difficulties with it, men express this opinion more often (25% vs. 13% of women). The younger respondents are, the stronger opinion is that finding a partner is easy (28% of respondents of 18-24 years and only 12% of elderly people). Russians of 35-59 years old consider this process to be difficult (73-79%).

Russians suppose that man can find a partner easier than woman (33% vs. 17%). However relative majority of respondents thinks that the result of searching a partner doesn't depend on gender. In the first place women are sure that men can regulate their private life easier (38%). Men notice that gender doesn't matter (48%).

Vast majority of our fellow-citizens don't feel themselves lonely (84%). The part of such respondents is bigger among men (85%) and people of 18-24 years old (90%). Loneliness is felt by 13% of Russians, chiefly by women (16%) and elder people (23%).

From the point of view of Russians lonely person is a person without friends and family (48%). For other respondents lonely people are elder people (10%) and those, with whom nobody communicates (10%), who live alone (8%), emotionally lonely people (7%). Other variants are: those who don't love anybody (2%), homeless, unemployed, sick and disabled persons (by 1%), poor men (less than 1%), all people are lonely (1%).

The majority of Russians sets the increase of lonely people in the place of their living (48%). It is noticed by the inhabitants of large cities (55%). Quarter of respondents (26%) believes that there are no changes; most of these respondents are from countryside (33%). Those who set the decrease of lonely people in the place of their living are in the minority (6%).

The main reason of loneliness is seen as separation with close relatives (64%). The second popular point of view is psychological peculiarities of character - restraint, unsociability (40%). Other arguments are impossibility to find reliable partner (27%), orientation toward career (21%), overrated expectations (19%), lack of free time (17%), development of technical devices for communication, Internet.

The best remedy is communication! Russians save themselves from loneliness by means of communication with family and friends (52%). The second popular way is watching movies, reading books, etc. (34%). Then 16% of respondents have hobby not to feel lonely, 14% work hard, 10% play with pets, 10% go out, 10% eat something tasty, 8% communicate in Internet, 8% go in for sport, 6% go to church. The minority of Russians seek consolation in alcohol drinking (4%) or casual sexual affairs (3%).

The most people don't afraid of loneliness (54%), other is scared by being forgotten and unclaimed (9%). Other reasons are being left without proper care, loss of relatives (by 4%), being left one-on-one with problems, loss of communication (by 3%), going mad (1%), etc.

The initiative Russian opinion poll was conducted on January 9-10 and February 6-7, 2010. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4 %.

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!