Special thanks to Leontine from Leontine's Book Realm for the super header.


Saturday, December 4, 2010

Sexual Positions - What's your pleasure?

So last month I tracked eye and hair colour in the books I read and the consensus seemed to be (or maybe I wanted it to be) was that I should track sexual positions. So, woo hoo, go me. I did.

What was my data collection strategy? I couldn't very well record EVERY sex act, I wanted to have time to read too, so I went with the first incidence of anal sex in which a character bottoms. So in some books I would have two positions to record and in other only one. And of course in some shorts none at all but I didn't count that because I assume the characters have sex at some point, they are just being totally rude and refusing to allow me to watch. Bastards.

I only came across six basic positions, I decided bent over a desk or bent over a couch, was pretty much the same thing. I got:
  • face-to-face (lying down)
  • guy on top
  • standing from behind
  • standing-to-face
  • sitting (similar to guy on top)
  • hands and knees or on stomach
No, I did not run across any using the position to the left. Someones going to end up at the ER when they slip.

Statistically how was it? Out of 34 recorded acts:
16 face-to-face (47%)
7 hands and knees (21%)
4 standing behind (12%)
3 on top (9%)
2 standing face-to-face (6%)
2 sitting (6%)

So the question is, what does this tell us? Well, I'm assuming since we are reading romance, the face-to-face position is most prevalent because it tends to be more intimate, having eye contact and the ability to kiss more easily during sex making it more "romantic". In fact two or three of the books using hands and knees specifically noted that the character used it as a mechanism to maintain a distance with his sexual parter. In the books where there was a switch for the partners, not that many actually - probably because of all the shorts I've been reading, no time - in only one case was the second sex act the same position. So I guess that falls into the need to mix-it-up category, despite the implied intimacy of a face-to-face encounter.

Anyway, I wasn't overly surprised by the results I found. I assumed a majority would be the face-to-face encounter. I personally find reading it does add an element of "romantic love" to a scene, or it can, but I like variety too.

I'm not tracking anything in December with trying to keep up with the new blog and Christmas and my trip and ... Yeah. Busy busy. However I'm thinking January I might keep track of what their first sexual interaction is beyond kissing. Do blow jobs and hand jobs usually precede the buttsecks or is that an m/m romance myth? My life is tough huh? ;-)

Have a great weekend everyone.

33 comments:

K. Z. Snow said...

!

Now this post woke me right up. (Yikes, the guys on the bathroom sink...with the mirror in the background. I haven't even seen such a tangle of limbs in a forest! They certainly get points for originality and athleticism, but how can that possibly be comfortable? o_O)

Tam said...

LOL My question was how do you get started on that. Who says "Just let me get on the sink with my head down and you behind me leaning on the wall and let's have sex." LOL I actually found the video of them in that bathroom but that particular position is not in the 5 min. clip I found. :-) I'm thinking it's not a position that lasts very long.

wren boudreau said...

I like the first picture best - their faces are expressive, except I'm worried about the bottom and all the blood rushing to his head.

KZ, I think you should write a story about the guys in that bathroom picture - you'd have to describe how they got there and everything. Maybe there's magic/steampunk/angel/vampires involved?

Tam said...

I suppose passing out mid-coitus could be a bit of a downer Wren. Unless you're into that. :-)

Yes yes, write a story about that KZ. Do.

Chris said...

Well, this post definitely distracted me from the 8" of snow outside! :)

Chris said...

Here you go, Tam - just so you're prepared for your flight tomorrow. ;)

wren boudreau said...

Chris, thanks for sharing that website. Hadn't been there before - it's interesting. I can't wait to hear Tam's security stories!

Polt said...

I prefer to be distracted by 8" INSIDE the house. :)

HUGS...

Tam said...

8 inches Chris? Ack. I better check the Chicago weather.

That was too cute. Getting on tomorrow I go through Canadian security so I don't think it's TSA as I hit US customs here as well. Coming back Tuesday night we'll see how it goes. By then I'll submit to anything just to get on the damn plane home. LOL

Tam said...

You are a naught naughty boy Polt. LOL Guess 8 inches is too much for Chris. :-P

Tracy said...

LOL Thank heavens I didn't open this with the kids in the room! lol

That sink shot looks somewhat painful! lol

Chris said...

I prefer 8" to be a bit warmer, personally...

Tam said...

They're just 'wrestling' Tracy. Isn't that the usual parenting line? :-)

It doesn't look comfy that's for sure.

Glad to hear it Chris. LOL

Average Reader said...

Awesome post, Tam!

Tam said...

Thanks Val.

Anonymous said...

Tam, loved the post! I'm not surprised that face-to-face occurs more often. It does seem more intimate.

Chris, I hate snow. There's some falling here now. We won't make 8 inches, but it's enough to aggravate me.

Erotic Horizon said...

Love love this post...

I have already save that pic to my hard drive.... you never know, a girl might get lucky and need to be creative, LOL...

I agree with you about the face to face adding a bit more romance to the scenes they are in...

Other than quite athletic positions, most books are just the standard fair for me really...

I am keen to see how January stats work out... I am going with 7 mins after meeting myself...

:)

K. Z. Snow said...

"Maybe there's magic/steampunk/angel/vampires involved?"

Wrenboo, you left out the most likely suspects-- demons. 'Cause if that ain't a case of possession...

K. Z. Snow said...

P.S. Chris, keep your steenking snow to yourself. Oh, wait; guess I'm six inches too late!

KT Grant said...

I now have to write a sink sex scene like the picture above. Must have strong arms to hold that as one thrusts ;)

Tam said...

I'm so glad I was able to inspire all you writers to bigger and more acrobatic feats of sex. :-) In fiction anyway, if not real life.

I don't think most of us readers want things too wacky in the bedroom EH. It's difficult to enjoy a scene if you have to stop to sketch it out or keep rereading to figure out exactly where the left hand went.

Stephani Hecht said...

There is no way that sink pose can be good on the plumbing!

Tam said...

Yeah Stephani, problems all around their plumbing and the home-owner.

john said...

That middle pic is just completely impractical and frankly, a bit scary.

Tam said...

LOL Definitely John, I'd still like to see the video to find out how they got in that position. Must have take a fair bit of positioning.

Lily said...

Great post, Tam!

Face to face does seem to work better in a romantic aspect.

That sink picture is totally impractical but quite cool looking. :)

Jenre said...

LOl, for the bathroom pic. I'd like to see how they got into that position too :).

The statistics don't surprise me. Nearly all the sex I read in m/m is face to face, unless it's a quick and dirty one between near-strangers, then it tends to be doggie style or against a wall or something.

Thanks for taking on such an onerous task for us, Tam, and I look forward the results of January's 'research'.

Tam said...

Thank Lily. I should have just posted that picture with the text "Discuss". LOL

It does physically lend itself to greater intimacy Jen, so I guess hence the use in m/m, or some position that allows eye contact like guy on top. It's amazing what I do for research, putting myself to such gruelling tasks. :-D

Ingrid said...

Gruelling indeed! My *sh. Me thinks you have thoroughly enjoyed yourself!

Great statistics though. They feel right to me as well.

And for the record I love snow!

Tam said...

:-) What can I say Ingrid, I'm all about the science. LOL I wasn't too surprised either. There is some snow here in Chicago but not very much. I like it when I'm inside and don't have to go out in it. Otherwise, not so much.

Kaetrin said...

Thank you for that fascinating exposition Tam! :D
I can only applaud your research efforts and generosity in sharing your results with us all.

I am definitely looking forward to your next research project! *grin*

Tam said...

No sacrifice for science is too great Kaetrin. :-)

Unknown said...

Tom , Whre did you found the bathroom pic? Is it from porn ?