Are Gays More Likely To Do Surveys?

[SanFranciscan]

I know it seems really weird to do a survey about surveys, but I was just thinking about an after-school job I used to have doing telephone surveys. It was random-digit dialing so we never knew who were were calling and sometimes got public pay telephones etc. I didn't like the job because it meant asking really personal questions for the Department of Health of whoever happened to answer the telephone and quit as soon as I could.

One of the questions was whether the people agreeing to talk to us were gay, lesbian, or bisexual. This was related to the AIDS scare so I understood the rationale for it, but I still did not like asking people that question. I was surprised at what a high percentage answered it "Yes." I began to wonder if the 10% of the population statistic was way off of the mark.

The other possibility is that gays are more likely to answer surveys. Do you think that that is true?

 

[OrlandoMike]

You mail me a coupon, I'll answer your survey!

 

[kingLouiethe1]

I keep doing every survey disney sends me in hopes of getting a freebie. So far I've gotten a Zagat guide to Disneyland, so still waiting for the biggie!

 

[sunnydoozer]

I think some of the variance might come from people perceiving "Gay or Lesbian" to be a more exciting answer, and they were never going to take an anonymous survey seriously.

I've been known to stretch the truth on a survey or two. At the local mall they have people out most days with surveys. The people get paid per survey, and I kind of feel bad if I see them out there for too long knowing they're not making a dime.

So I agreed to take yet another one and I pass the screening questions, but once the survey started it was all about alcohol, the sum total of my experience with alcohol was ordering a case of wine from Fess Parker's Vineyard for my Dad (huge Davey Crockett fan). After about the sixth question I clued in and started making up answers so I wouldn't feel awkward. Why yes I drink Bailey's all the time! I like it with Orange Juice and with wine! I didn't even want the Christmas ornament they gave for participating

Heck even if you asked my grandma that, she would say gay. She thinks someone who is straight is someone who doesn't drink alcohol, she wouldn't be quite sure what bisexual or lesbian, but gosh darn it she knew she was happy!

 

[SanFranciscan]

Sunnydoozer is right that some of the people clearly did not understand the question. One of my ex-co-workers on the same project told a funny story. One respondant he asked whether she was gay, lesbian, or bisexual paused before telling him that she was a woman.