In France, where they take both eating and erotica more seriously than most,
interest in the psychological connections betwen the two has become
insatiable. Two hefty academic tomes on the subject have recently appeared:
one by Willy Passini, professor of psychiatry at the University of Geneva,
the other by Gisele Harus-Revidi, a lecturer in psychology at a Paris
university.
Pasini, who interviewed more than 1,500 French men and women while
researching Nourriture et Amour, has cooked up a banquet of
riveting - and useful - information. One revelation is that 80% of men who
suffer from premature ejaculation are also very fast eaters, another is the
conclusion that 85% of French women find men who cook well sexually
attractive.
"Woo her with a little truffle oil, fresh herbs or ginger," the helpful
professor advises young men who have suddenly revealed a calling to the
kitchen. But slender women, Pasini warns, who starve themselves to keep thin
should be avoided at all costs. They are denying their female sexuality and
are unlikely to let go in the bedchamber. The same goes for weight-obsessed
men or those males who are just a little too sensible with their calories:
"A man who has his feet too firmly on the ground will not be able to send a
woman to seventh heaven," opines the professor.
However a chap who likes his potatoes sauteed in goose fat, who knows where
to find the best goat's cheese and enjoys his steak rare will be a killer in
the sack.
Not that you must be too greedy, of course. Gluttons, according to Pasini,
make selfish lovers. More generous is the man who watches his weight by
refusing desert and that third slice of baguette - he will be able to hold
himself back in bed while the woman achieves her pleasure. However, all is
not lost for fatties. Well, the plump, at least. Research shows that people
who are up to 5kg/10lbs overweight are more in touch with their sexuality:
"the moderately rounded person is probably a bon vivant, somebody who enjoys
life to the full; whereas thin people are often repressed or control
freaks."
Harrus-Revidi, whose research has been published in a tome called
Psychanalyse de la Gourmandise,spills her vitriol not just on the fussy-
those who pick at their food "often don't like to be kissed or touched'- but
also on the non-meat eater. "Vegetarian food," she declares, "tends to be
insipid because vegetarians unconsciously refuse to put anything in their
mouths." She concludes crushingly: "Their refusal to eat meat can be linked
with a hidden disgust of all flesh."
The French populace is treating these revelations seriously. Instead of
gazing adoringly across the dinner table on the first date, instructs Biba
magazine, concentrate your attention on what your putative partner has on
his plate. This, the journal says, provides clues as to "how he will handle
you in the bedroom". For example a man who refuses to eat offal-based
delicacies such as andouillette (sausage) or rognons a la moutarde (kidneys
in mustard) "is not in touch with his animal instincts", and if your
potential bed partner pierces his peas one at a time or spends hours
filleting his sole meuniere, head for the nearest exit: "This man will fold
his trousers and line up his shoes before he gets into bed with you," BIBA
warns.
"If you are still eating takeaway hamburgers after the age of 30," says
Pasini, "then you have no imagination and have not achieved sexual
maturity." Such people, he says, are probably boring lovers in the
"wham, bam, thank you mam, tradition".
Food for Thought.
(advice offered to help you eat your way to a fulfilling sex life!!)
VEGETARIAN: You're an uptight puritan who doesn't like the feel of flesh. If you can deny yourself the pleasure of a juicy steak, then you will probably hold back in bed.
FUSSY EATER: You're an unadventurous lover who may be unable to fulfil your peartners sexual fantasies. If you are easily disgusted by food, then you probably have all sorts of hang-ups about doing anything that could be considered kinky.
FAST EATER: You're a selfish lover who won't wait for your partner to
achieve orgasm. you may well suffer from premature ejaculation too.
JUNK FOOD EATER: Boring in bed as well as at the table. You lack
imaginaytion and may not yet have achieved sexual maturity.
MESSY EATER: Not a good sign. You're likely to be as maladroit in bed as at the dinner table.
DIETER: A little dieting can be a good thing, but you may have a complex about your body and so not let go in bed.
GOURMET: You make the earth move. Anyone who appreciates good food is in touch with their sensuality. Someone who takes the time to prepare a delicious meal will also take time making sure their partner achieves orgasm.
GLUTTON: You're a selfish lover more intent on you're own fun than anyone else's.