Help Customers Show Off New Products

Ready for your quiz question? Okay, here's the situation: Some British researchers noticed a gender difference in where customers keep their cell phones while sitting in a club. Women are much more likely than men to take out their phone from purse or pocket only when they are ready to use the phone. On the other hand, men are much more likely to place their cell phone in a highly visible location soon after sitting down.
     The researchers figured that the men were placing their phones on the bar or table because they wanted to show off to others that they possessed the latest and greatest model. But to whom were the men interested in showing it off? The women? The other men? Both?
     Here's your question: Which one of these four caused the greatest jump in how often the men would take out their cell phones, put them on the bar or table, and begin toying with them, even when not placing calls?

A. As the number of men in the area increased.
B. As the number of women increased.
C. As the percentage of men compared to women increased.
D. As the percentage of women compared to men increased.

     The correct answer? The third choice. Was the picture of the peacock too big a hint? It appeared that the men were preening with their cell phones to disarm the competition in the same way that male peacocks pump up the strutting and feather preening when there are at least a few females around and then a bunch of other males come by.
     What's this all mean for you? If you want to sell your customers the latest and greatest, there's an advantage in you stocking items with a distinctive design easily recognizable even in a dimly lit club.