Cosmetics purchased by Italian men = circa 240 million USD 1999
Shaving cream & Soap = circa 70 million USD
Pre & After Shave products =circa 130 million USD
Face Cream/Lotions = circa 15 million USD
Gift Packs= circa 20 million USD

Italian men are starting to buy into the idea that beauty can be purchased, preferably in a jar or nicely wrapped package–the figures are up a whopping 13 % from 1998. The National Cosmetics Union (UNIPRO), which conducted the study, has only recently started tracking the "strong sex" at the skincare counter. Better keep an eye on this booming segment…

A two-week “full immersion” for men to learn how to cook and clean: that’s the vacation proposed by the Italian Househusband’s movement (Movimento degli uomini casalinghi). “We want to promote a man who takes care of the home and cultivates other interests,” explains Antonio D’Andrea, who founded the organization 15 years ago.” A man who has given up the antiquated idea of being a warrior and is interested in cultural pursuits.” Hard to say how many men will pay to learn how to get tough stains out, but the idea is a novel one.

55 months average Italian engagement
35,1% couples lived together four years or more
54,3% decided to get married before living together
57,4% couples who desire to get married
20,2% lived together while one partners waits for a divorce

The trend of long engagements gets even longer: young couples opt to wait almost five years to wed.
2001 figures are a year more than in 1987, (3.9 years) and the National Statistics Institute points out that as more women are get university degrees, the waiting period stretches. Living together is still a rarity (only 4% of couples) which means the not-so-soon-to-be weds are shacking up with mom & dad and collecting matching china. Here, well, eventually, comes the Bride?

Related resources:
Maybe it’s more than a literary tradition: decide for yourself
after reading about the trials and travails of Renzo & Lucia in Alessandro Manzoni’s potboiler
classic "The Betrothed"

www.sposiweb.net
send wedding announcements via email in Italian
www.allafollia.com
Create your own “couple home page”

36 months of marriage = 50% libido reduction
57% higher risk of arguments if the relationship is too monotonous/too serene
70% of wives would prefer to vacation without husbands
Most likely to benefit from a fling: clerks, accountants and bankers

Forget the “Seven-Year Itch,” three years of wedded bliss is enough to douse the brightest embers.
The solution? According to Italian sex experts: an affair, real or virtual.
“Summer is like what Carnival used to be-the season where anything goes,” comments sex therapist and researcher Alessandra Graziottin. “However, you don’t have to actually cheat. Being courted and flirting can free up the imagination and make you feel desirable again.”

Related resources:
Couldn’t be better time to launch Italy’s first alibi service, where, for a price, would-be lovers can have all the back-up excuses they want. In Italian & French.
http://alibi.hypermart.net