From bathroom habits to sharing a bed: How long it takes couples to get comfortable with each other

Almost every event happens quicker for men than women

Olivia Petter
Monday 10 September 2018 09:03 EDT
Comments
(Rex Features)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

From your first adult sleepover to the first time you say “I love you” - there are myriad events we use to judge the progress of our romantic partnerships - and they happen faster for some than others.

Now, a survey has revealed just how long it really takes to feel completely comfortable around a partner, examining the most nuanced markers of intimacy, such as walking around naked and wearing a retainer to bed.

The survey of 1,000 people, carried out by Mattress Advisor, revealed vast discrepancies between men and women, with the former often taking far less time to feel comfortable around their partner in various circumstances.

For example, it takes men an average of 2.8 months to feel comfortable sleeping naked with a new partner, whereas for women it takes more than a month longer.

(Mattress Advisor
(Mattress Advisor (Mattress Advisor)

Meanwhile it takes men roughly 3.4 months to wear a retainer to bed, while for women this won’t happen for at least 8.8 months.

As for walking around the bedroom naked - an anxiety that undoubtedly plagues all relationship newbies - it takes men an average of 2.8 months - for women, it’s 3.9.

One similarity between the genders in terms of feeling comfortable was regarding telling a partner they snore too loud, with both men and women doing so at an average of 4.7 months.

The research found that the one thing that takes the most time for both men and women to feel comfortable doing is to “poop in front of your partner”, taking men 7.1 months and women 10.7.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in