Posted on: Sunday, February 8, 2009
Gender's role in Valentine's gifts
By John MacIntyre
Percentage of all Valentine's Day cards that are bought by women, according to an MSNBC report: 85
Percentage of flowers that are bought by men: 73
GREEN EMPLOYMENT
Estimated number of jobs that renewable-energy and energy-efficiency industries currently provide, according to an American Solar Energy Society "Green-Collar Jobs" report and Management Information Services Inc.: 9 million
Projected number of jobs that can be generated by the renewable-energy and energy-efficiency industries in the U.S. by 2030: 37 million
Percentage of all anticipated U.S. employment this represents: 17
YEAR-END BONUS
Percentage of Wall Street professionals who received a year-end payout in 2008, according to a survey by eFinancialCareers, a career site for finance professionals: 79
When polled in October, percentage who expected a year-end bonus: 66
SAFE FLYING
Percentage of Americans who said they always (30 percent) or often (38 percent) pay attention to the in-flight safety presentation, according to a TripAdvisor survey: 68
Percentage of respondents who said they always check the locations of the exits on the plane: 73
Percentage of travelers who said they have read the seat-back instruction card in the past: 50
OPTIMISM IN 2009
Percentage of small-business owners who believe that 2009 will be as good or better than 2008, according to a survey commissioned by Microsoft Office Live Small Business and Elance: 60
Despite the economy, the percentage of business owners who say they are happier running their own business than working for someone else: 86
LEADING THE WAY
Percentage of people who rely on online and mobile navigation tools to find their way around: 25
Despite huge advances in online maps and mobile navigation, percentage of people who admit to getting lost regularly: 93
INDOOR DINING
Percentage of married adults who would prefer their significant others make them dinner at home instead of taking them out to eat on Valentine's Day, according to a Whole Foods Market survey: 81
Percentage who also agree that Valentine's Day dinner at home prepared by a significant other is more personal, thoughtful and caring: 73
Percentage who also cite financial reasons, such as the current state of the economy and the increased expense of eating out: 50
IDLE THOUGHT
"I am a part of all that I have met."
— Alfred, Lord Tennyson, poet
Readers can contact John MacIntyre at johnmacintyre@bwr.eastlink.ca.
