In Matters of the Heart, the Pen is Mightier than the Keyboard

Contact:
Michele Szynal
(617) 421-7086

Peggy Fries
(212) 601-8243

Lisa Glacken
(212) 601-8344

IN MATTERS OF THE HEART, THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE KEYBOARD

-- Parker Pen Poll Reveals 94 Percent of Americans Prefer Handwritten Love Letters --

BOSTON, February 11, 1998 -- Do you recall the first love letter you ever received? Perhaps you've memorized a particular phrase, or have saved the entire letter, whether in a shoe box or a computer file. If so, you're not alone.

Parker Pen, part of The Gillette Company Stationery Products Group, recently surveyed men and women about the classic love letter, and found that well over three quarters (85 percent) of all Americans have received a love letter at some point in their lives. Here's what people said:

The Pen is Mightier ... Survey results revealed that even in the age of modern technology, an overwhelming majority of Americans (94 percent) would prefer to receive a handwritten love letter to one sent by e-mail. "In this fast-paced world, there is something truly special about taking the time to hand write a letter," said Michele Szynal, public relations manager, Parker Pen. "It captures emotions in a very unique way and people respond to that."

Romance By Region ... As for those most likely to send love letters, survey results suggest that residents of the Western region of the United States (82 percent) may be more romantic than the rest of the country. Three-fourths of Southerners (75 percent) and slightly fewer residents of the Mid West (72 percent) and North East (71 percent) regions recall having put pen to paper.

It is Better to Give than Receive ... And some Americans may have given more than others . Survey results show that only 75 percent of Americans recall writing love letters, but eighty-five percent report receiving one. This suggests that some letter writers may have written to more than one 'lover' in their lifetime. In addition, women are turning the tables on an age-old tradition: the proportion of women who write love letters is nearly equal to men (73 percent for women vs. 77 percent for men).

Long Lost Love ... Is chivalry really dead? According to survey results, the average American last received a love letter 14 years ago. Nearly half (43 percent) of those surveyed received their last love letter more that 10 years ago, while 27 percent report receiving their last love letter more than 20 years ago.

The "Love Letter Survey" was conducted on behalf of Parker Pen, part of The Gillette Company Stationery Products Group in Boston, the worldwide leader in the writing instrument business.

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Editor's note: Please call Lisa Glacken at (212) 601-8344 to receive a full-color illustrated infograph on disc or black and white camera-ready art. Complete survey results are also available.