Italian 'cougars’ hunger for sophistication

ROME- The recent phenomenon of “cougars”, middle-aged women who, turning away from the conventional rules of engagement, prefer the company of younger men, has become a huge trend in the post-millennium age, eclipsing the zoological definition of the word.

 With cougars said to number one million in Italy, dating sites dedicated to them and their younger “prey” have enjoyed wild success, including CougarItalia.com. The website, said to “encourage older women to meet with younger men” has drawn up the profile for the average cougar.

Cougars, with their strong sense of independence, have approximately 35 percent more disposable income than the average woman, and are reported to spend as much as 500 euros a month solely on clothing and accessories. These older women have a tendency to be internet-savvy, with about 86 percent browsing the Internet on a daily basis: in the last year alone, CougarItalia.com says it earned 19 million euros.

 With regards to holidaymaking, cougars are generally big spenders, favouring a greater quality of hospitality and comfort. Complimenting their taste for fine hotels and is their taste for fine dining, with a general preference for haute cuisine and sophisticated foods.

 Finally, when it comes to housing and accommodation, cougars are said to prefer lofts and open spaces, provided that they are relatively spacious and comfortable.

The findings were released by Alex Fantini, whose brainchild is CougarItalia.com, one of the biggest sites dedicated to this phenomenon in Italy.

 The website has a growing customer database, and boasts of its aim to banish the taboo of age disparity, particularly between older women and their younger male partners.

 The website has also been the talk of many national media outlets, including weekly magazine L’Espresso and newspaper Corriere della Sera.