Small Talk or Straight Shooting: VTech Survey Highlights Talk Style Preferences Among Gender, Generational and Regional Groups

BEAVERTON, Ore., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey of more than 1,000 adults conducted by independent market research firm Toluna, and sponsored by VTech® Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of VTech Holdings Ltd. (HKSE: 303; ADR: VTKHY) and the largest U.S. cordless phone manufacturer, highlights a variety of communication differences among men and women as well as different ages and regions of the United States. For example:

• "Dating game" differences: If calling to ask someone out for a date, New Englanders are more likely to make "small talk" first (32 percent, compared to 21-24 percent of residents in other regions); men are also more likely to get "straight to the point" and ask for a date (40 percent) compared to women (27 percent).
• All's fair in love and war, the younger you are?: Fifty-five percent of 18-24 year olds and 50 percent of 25-34 year olds would say "whatever's" on their mind when fighting. The percentage consistently declined among older respondents, with only 34 percent of adults over 55 saying they would truly say what they are thinking.  In fact, 32 percent of adults over 55 said they would just avoid the conflict and "end the conversation" (compared to 13 percent of 18-24 year olds).
• Phone faux pas trends: Women are more likely to hang up the phone on a significant other (44 percent, compared to 34 percent of men).  Women also are more likely to eavesdrop on a conversation (41 percent of women vs. 30 percent of men).

To help bridge the gap created by different communication preferences and personalities, and spur more effective conversations, VTech offers StayGrounded.com, an online destination highlighting the importance of good communication practices to build strong relationships with friends and family. Featuring advice from developmental psychologist and life coach, Dr. Michelle Callahan, StayGrounded.com is currently highlighting the influence personality type has on communication styles, and offers practical tips for navigating different communication preferences.

"The key to overcoming communication differences is understanding and adapting to different communication styles and preferences," says Dr. Michelle, host of syndicated daytime talk show Wedlock or Deadlock and author of Ms. Typed: Stop Sabotaging Your Relationships and Find Dating Success (Three Rivers Press, 2010). "For example, men and women tend to have different communication patterns and often misunderstand what the opposite gender is trying to communicate or wants from a conversation."

In addition to communication advice, StayGrounded.com offers visitors the opportunity to vote in weekly polls about the power of communication and enter to win weekly prize packages that "match" one of four core personality types described by Dr. Michelle on the website.  

StayGrounded.com also features more detailed data from the Toluna/VTech survey, which highlights several generational, gender and age differences in communication preferences.  Other key findings include:

• Women more talkative about social happenings: For 66 percent of Americans, day-to-day social happenings comprise the initial topic of conversation with friends and family; however, this number is much higher for women – 78 percent compared to 54 percent of men.
• Who lets it go straight to voicemail? When asked what to do if the phone rings after a hard day at work, half of women said they would let the call just go straight to voicemail, compared to only 35 percent of men.
• Men prefer more relationship privacy: When it comes to announcing an engagement, 41 percent of men prefer to keep the details private/intimate (compared to 28 percent of women), and 45 percent of women want to share the juicy details of the proposal with friends (compared to 28 percent of men).
• Younger adults in long-distance relationships need more phone time: If in a long-distance relationship, 36 percent of 18-24 year olds  would prefer to talk on the phone "a few times a day," compared to 13 percent (on average) of adults older than 35.
• Calling in "sick" – age matters: More than half (51 percent) of 25-34 year-old respondents admitted to calling in sick when not, compared to 41 percent of the general population.

"It's fascinating to see such distinct differences in how people communicate," said Tom Bacon, vice president, marketing, VTech Communications, Inc.  "Our goal is to help people stay connected and build rich relationships through good communication, which is why we developed StayGrounded.com as a resource to celebrate and perfect the art of good communication."

Connect to Win Today

StayGrounded.com features weekly visitor polls, regularly updated tips, fun facts and videos. Visitors can continue the dialogue by sharing with others through email, Facebook® or Twitter®, or taking a "Talk Style" Quiz to enjoy a chance to win weekly prizes.  

• Facebook: Become a fan of VTech http://www.facebook.com/VTechPhones for updates on StayGrounded.com, take the quiz to be eligible for a weekly prize package (valued at $100 each), and receive information on VTech discounts, events, sports and music initiatives
• Twitter: Follow VTech at http://twitter.com/vtech411 for the latest news, including links to product reviews, contests and giveaways

A VTech Phone for Any Lifestyle

VTech's latest DECT 6.0 cordless phone systems offer superior call quality, range and reception for the conversations that matter most.  Available now on www.vtechphones.com and through major retail stores nationwide, the current lineup includes:

• Perfect for the style-conscious caller who demands both practicality and the latest technology, VTech's LS6245 handles both cellular and landline calls thanks to integrated BLUETOOTH® technology.  It also offers a high-end, modern design with a touch-sensitive handset and base station.  The VTech LS6325-3 is ideal for busy families who need to connect with friends and family – and with each other throughout the home – thanks to an added Push-to-Talk (PTT) feature.
• VTech's two-line DS6151 system is also great for busy households, as well as small office/home office users.  It eliminates fights for phone time and frustrations over having just one phone line, and features intercom, call transfer, conference capabilities and a dedicated voicemail box for each line.

About VTech®

VTech is the world's largest manufacturer of cordless telephones and a leading supplier of electronic learning products.  It also provides highly sought-after contract manufacturing services.  Founded in 1976, the Group's mission is to be the most cost effective designer and manufacturer of innovative, high quality consumer electronic products and to distribute them to markets worldwide in the most efficient manner.

For further information on VTech and its array of products, please visit www.vtechphones.com.

The BLUETOOTH® word mark is owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.

Twitter is a trademark of Twitter, Inc.

Facebook is a trademark of Facebook, Inc.

SOURCE VTech Communications, Inc.