Survey Reveals There's More to Taking a Shower Than Getting Clean

Think you are the only one who does more than just wash while you're in the shower? Think again. GROHE -- a leading manufacturer of bath, shower and kitchen products -- recently conducted a survey that found while the majority of both American and Canadian respondents reported using their showers for obvious reasons, many indicated tendencies toward more unconventional habits.

"In order to continue creating innovative, luxury shower products, we wanted to understand the full shower experience of our consumers," says Guido Bergman, vice president of marketing for GROHE. "The GROHE American Shower Survey allowed us to see beyond taking a conventional shower."

Showers, Sex and Celebrities

Among the highlights of the survey were statistics that reveal that things are getting steamy in today's showers. Nearly a quarter of both U.S. (22%) and Canadian respondents (22%) indicated that they have sex in their showers. Of these respondents, more U.S. males (26%) reported having sex in the shower than their female counterparts (18%), while more Canadian females (24%) reported having sex in the shower than male Canadian respondents (19%).

As for what celebrities respondents would like to see steaming up their showers, Americans and Canadians were in total agreement. Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba and Pamela Anderson topped the U.S. and Canadian lists of favorite female celebrity showerers. On the male side, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Johnny Depp captured the top three spots in both the U.S. and Canada. Mel Gibson tied with Depp in Canada.

Multi-tasking

While the majority of respondents focus on washing their hair and bodies, 20 percent of U.S. respondents and 24 percent of Canadian respondents spend their shower time cleaning their showers as well. Other top multitasking activities include shaving (43% U.S./40% Canada), brushing teeth (17% U.S./14% Canada) and singing (18% U.S./15% Canada).

When asked to name their favorite song to sing in the shower, "Singing in the Rain" topped the responses in both the U.S. and Canada. Other top tunes included:

United States
1. "Singing in the Rain"
2. "Amazing Grace"
3. "Splish, Splash"
4. "Hey Jude"
5. Original tunes

Many respondents also reported using their showers for non-traditional activities as well. When asked what other ways they have used their showers besides for taking a shower, top responses ranged from washing pets and thawing turkey to serving as a beer cooler, a playpen for kids and a spare bed.

Watershed Moments

The GROHE survey also found that for many the shower is a serene think-tank where they work through problems and even make major life decisions. More than half (53%) of both U.S. and Canadian respondents reported thinking about problems while in the shower and cited shower-inspired solutions ranging from job changes, getting married or divorced, having children and improving the quality of their lives.

"At GROHE, we are committed to providing our customers with the best possible shower experience -- from the selection process to our money-back 'Satisfaction Guarantee' for rainshower products," explained Bergman. "The results of this year's survey will help us find new ways to meet the ever changing needs of our consumers."

GROHE products are sold through designer showrooms nationwide and select online retailers. For a limited time, the company is offering a special "Satisfaction Guarantee," enabling consumers to try GROHE showers risk free. If, for any reason, customers are not satisfied with their GROHE shower products, they can return them and the company will refund their money in full. For more information about GROHE products and designs or for specific showroom locations and retailer Web sites, visit http://www.groheamerica.com/.

GROHE Americas, Bloomingdale, Ill., is the 31-year-old subsidiary of GROHE Water Technology AG & Co. KG, Germany. GROHE Water Technology products are distributed in more than 180 countries and represent 70 years of offering an unparalleled combination of quality, design and technology. GROHE ranks among the top three faucet manufacturers in the world and was the first international faucet manufacturer to be ISO 9001 Quality Assurance Certified.

ABOUT NORTH AMERICAN SHOWER SURVEY 2007

Results of the GROHE North American Shower Survey are based on responses of 1,089 adults in the United States and 760 adults in Canada who participated in a national online survey in March 2007.

Source: L.C. Williams & Associates

Web site: http://www.groheamerica.com/