Vested Interest - Trends - November 1997 Issue

Future’s So Bright, Investors Wear Shades

A Gallup Poll of American investors paid for by Paine Webber and dubbed the Index of Investor Optimism, found that investors are extremely optimistic. Those with substantial investments are more optimistic than those with more modest investments. But the survey also found that many investors may be too optimistic, underestimating the risks they could face in a downturn. These findings were confirmed by another poll, by Louis Harris Associates of 1,011 adults nationwide, that found that 71% of respondents think that a stock market crash would not affect their investment strategies. (Paine Webber press release, October 16, 1997, and PRNewswire, October 13, 1997)

Alien-Style Hot Dogs

The company that makes Ball Park Franks hired Yankelovich Partners to ask 1,000 Americans what they thought aliens would put on hot dogs. The lead response, by 33% of respondents, was ketchup, followed by mustard (31%), relish, onions and chili. Also on the list were crunchy insects (24%) and humans (15%). Respondents were allowed to name more than one condiment. (PRNewswire, October 10, 1997)

See Yourself on Television

A survey of 500 secretaries conducted for Sprint Business asked which television character their boss most resembled. The results: Lou Grant (Ed Asner) on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (49%), Larry Tate (David White) on Bewitched (20%), Alan Brady (Carl Reiner) on The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) on The Lucy Show (13). Asked to identify who resembled themselves, the secretaries named Miss Jane Hathaway (Nancy Culp) on The Beverly Hillbillies (38%), Carol Bondurant (Marcia Wallace) on The Bob Newhart Show (37%), Mimi Bobeck (Kathy Kinney) on The Drew Carey Show (13%), Mrs. Wiggins (Carol Burnett) on The Carol Burnett Show (7%), Jennifer Marlowe (Loni Anderson) on WKRP in Cincinnati (3%) and Waylan Smithers on The Simpsons (2%). (Business Wire, October 9, 1997)

School Vouchers Gets Failing Grade

A Yankelovich Partners poll of 1,282 adults nationwide, including an oversample of blacks, asked "Do you favor or oppose a plan to give tax money to parents who want to send their children to private or religious schools rather than to public schools?" Overall, the survey found that 54% oppose the plan, while 39% support it. Figures were almost identical for whites: 54% in favor, 40% opposed. But blacks showed even more opposition: 58% opposed the plan, while just 36% supported it. (The Polling Report)

Family Values Around the Globe

A series of Gallup Polls in 16 countries found wide disparity in what is considered moral behavior. Among Germany, France, and Iceland, more than 90% of respondents said that out-of-wedlock births were morally acceptable. Yet high majorities in India, Singapore, and Taiwan condemned such behavior. The U.S. was the only country without a clear majority on that question. In the U.S., 47% said out-of-wedlock births were morally wrong, while 50% said it was acceptable. Across most countries, younger respondents were more likely than older generations to accept out-of-wedlock births. (PRNewsire, October 16, 1997)