2005 QUIRKYALONE POLL RESULTS

According the largest yet survey of quirkyalones, four out of five quirkyalones are women, most of us have parents who are still married or long-term committed, and a distressing number of us do not floss!

Welcome to the results of the Quirkyalone Poll 2005. The poll was conducted by the Quirkyalone Institute in coordination with Zoomerang.com, in late January and early February among more than 750 likely quirkyalones. The results carry a margin of error of +/-3.5%

Here are some of the highlights of the poll. For a full break-out of the questions and responses, including additional comments from respondents, go here.

Among the more notable findings:

Gender: The quirkyalone movement is very female, though not entirely. 79% of you are women, and 21% are men.

Age: Many of you are in your twenties and thirties, but by no means all. Almost half of quirkyalones are over 35. 26% are 35 to 45, and 14% are 46 to 60. 2% are sixty-plus. (Note: This generational diversity has always been reflected at readings across the U.S. and the parties we have thrown in San Francisco.)

Globally: The quirkyalone movement is strongest in North America. 85% of us hail from this side of the Atlantic. However, the word is spreading in Europe and Australia, where 9% and 5% of respondents live, respectively.

Sexuality: More sexually diverse than the general population. The standard figure tossed about by the gay movement is that one in ten people are gay or bisexual. A combined 12% of respondents identify as gay or bisexual. An additional five percent say, “Not really sure, it's been so long and so much has changed since the last time...”

Educational level: A smart bunch. 21% have completed high school, 54% have completed college, 20% have masters degrees, 3% have doctoral degrees, and 1% have a third degree.

U.S. Politics: Although an overwhelming percentage of U.S. respondents voted for John Kerry in the last presidential election (85%), and political participation is very high (90% of respondents voted), when it comes to the major political parties, respondents have a strong independent streak. 39% identify as Democrats, 7% as Republicans, 6% as Greens, 13% as whatever party Jon Stewart’s in, 15% as independent, and 12% as “alienated, they’re all scum.”

Parents’ Marriage Status: More than half of respondents (69%) have parents who are still married or long-time committed.

Interest in Marriage: Quirkyalones only want to get married if they find the right person—or they’re just ambivalent. 25% say they are interested in getting married, 14% say “No thanks,” and 61% say “maybe, hello, I’m quirkyalone.”

Prefer to date: Another quirykalone! More of you say like attracts like, rather than opposite attract. 88% of you prefer to date another quirkyalone, 12% prefer a nonquirkyalone.

Online dating: 28% say “Why not?, 17% say “No way,” 7% say “If someone would view my profile,” 17% say “I have online dating fatigue,” and 31% say, “Don’t know/never tried.”

Abortion rights: 94% are in favor.

Gay marriage: 89% support it

Iraq: 83% do not support continued U.S. involvement.

Yoga: 30% practice yoga—four times the percentage among all U.S. citizens. According to the second annual “Yoga in America” survey collected by the Harris Interactive Service Bureau (HISB) on behalf of Yoga Journal, 7.5% of U.S. adults, or 16.5 million people, now practice yoga.

Meditation: 32% meditate

Your Idea of a Good Time: 52% prefer a dinner party, 20% prefer going to a bar, and 5% enjoy smoking a bong and playing video games, while 23% say, “I really don't have enough time with my dog/cat/art project/etc.”

Living Arrangement: 59% live alone, 31% live with roommates, 5% live with significant other or spouse, and 6% live with kids but no partner.

Flossing: The most revealing and distressing results: Only 57% of respondents say they floss. 30% say they don’t floss, and 13% say they floss only before dates and sex!

Why this disturbs me: Flossing is such an indicator of good self-care, and quirkyalones are supposed to be a very self-loving people! Personal aside: When I was in my early twenties, after not flossing for my entire life, I found out with my first adult trip to the dentist that pockets had opened up between my teeth and gums (some registered “5”). I had to undergo a series of painful, expensive “deep cleanings” to close the gap and protect my teeth from eventually falling out! Ever since, I floss, even if only a few times a week. It makes a huge difference. I never get “5s” anymore. And so, if there is one thing I can impart to the quirkyalone community, it would be: Love yourself! Floss!

Thanks to the fabulous Martha Bader who coordinated both the poll and the first annual Quirkyalone Awards (the Quirkys), the results of which we will release next week.

P.S. Jenifer Strickland, a concerned quirkyalone, would like to add: "Do not floss or brush your teeth two hours prior to sex or two hours afterwards. Brushing and flossing create tiny lacerations in the gums leaving you more susceptible to any unfriendly microbes."