The Electrolux Company wanted to know the vacuuming habits of 28,000 people, in 23 countries including the USA, France, Sweden, Australia and Japan. Everything was studied, from clothing worn to vacuuming frequency and the age at which children are implicated in this activity.
The study reveals that 4% of people surveyed vacuum in underwear, with 2% who don't wear anything. The least sensitive to the cold and more at ease with their nudity are the Nordics and Americans, with the Norwegians on top (3.7%) followed by the Swedes and the Americans (3%). More men than women vacuum in the nude, with 2.5% against 0.6% for women. Outside of these 'outfits', most cleaners prefer comfortable, relaxed clothes (69%). 76% of Koreans prefer tracksuits (against 21% on average).
Another habit highlighted by the report concerns other activities carried out during cleaning. Apparently more than one person in three listens to music, with in Colombia and Mexico, 67% of people blocking out the noise in this way. Young people go even further, and dance supported by the vacuum cleaner handle. 51% of young people from 18-30 years turn on their hi-fi system (against 19% of the over 51 years) and 6% dance in rhythm (1% for the 51 years and over). Music is, of course, a means to mask the noise level of the vacuum cleaner, which is the main annoyance for users.
At what age can a child start vacuuming? According to the study, 6% of people surveyed put a vacuum cleaner in the hands of children from 3 to 5 years. They are joined by an additional 2% who think that it is possible for the under 3s. This, of course, assumes that they can hold the handle! Meanwhile, teenagers can vacuum without any difficulties. In contrast to the Poles, Russians and Norwegians who fix the minimum age at 3 years, Turks and Koreans prefer to wait for the teenage years and consider the ideal age to be 15 to 17 years.
The latter are champions of rapidity, vacuuming at lightning speed in less than 30 minutes, whereas the Portuguese and Brazilians take 1 to 2 hours. As for the Chinese, you can't be concerned about noise at night as 6% share the soft humming of the vacuum cleaner with their neighbourhood."
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