A recent poll asked 2,000 people to name the best lovers they’d ever had, and Italy came out on top. Despite popular stereotypes about French and Spanish romance, Italians were chosen by 21% of respondents as the most passionate.
Spain and Greece followed closely, with 15% and 14% respectively. Brazil, France, Portugal, and Sweden also made the top ranks. Australia, Britain, and Germany completed the top ten, while the US didn’t make the cut, likely placed in an “other” category.
Sylvia Linzalone from dating app Wisp said the charm of Mediterranean men comes from their confidence and engaging communication. “Romance is almost in the air in Italy and Spain,” she noted. She also suggested British men’s reserved nature might explain their lower ranking.
Many people recalled their most exciting romances happened on vacation. One woman described a Naples fling that left her unimpressed with British men afterward, praising the Italian’s warmth.
Relationship expert Anna Williamson said modern romance often comes in small gestures, like sending a funny meme or sharing a song, rather than grand romantic acts.
