In a striking challenge to the all American male and conventional wisdom, holding hands and cuddling are rated more highly than sex by the average American guy, a new survey claimed.

A couple enjoy the cherry blossoms along Washington, DC's Tidal Basin. In a striking challenge to the all American male and conventional wisdom, holding hands and cuddling are rated more highly than sex by the average American guy, a new survey claimed. [AFP]

Despite the raising of a few skeptical eyebrows, the survey found 31 percent of respondents believe "emotional intimacy" is what American men want most in a romantic liaison.

A lower number of respondents, 23 percent, said sex was a man's number one priority in taking a hot date out for a candle-lit dinner, according to national research firm Synovate.

"Good times" ranked third, supported by 17 percent of those surveyed.

And only a lowly two percent of those polled said gold-digging propelled men into showering a woman with flowers and chocolates.

However, more women than men believed male suitors seek trophy dates.

"The survey shows the disconnect between men and women on intimacy issues. While both men and women rank emotional intimacy first, far more women believe that sex is a man's top priority in a relationship," said Sean Murphy, author of "The Spirit Man" book, and the survey sponsor.

In a breakdown between men and women, 35 percent of men and 28 percent of women placed emotional intimacy as the highest male relationship priority. However, 19 percent of men and 27 percent of women ranked sex as most important to men in a relationship.

"Women don't give men a lot of credit in terms of emotional intimacy," Murphy said.

A total of 1,000 adults were surveyed between November 21-23. The survey has a 5 percent margin of error.

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