They say love has no boundaries. Neither does the internet.…While surfing on the web, I stranded on one of Eleven Dreams’ websites, a Spanish production company. So what? Well, this particular website is dedicated to a documentary called Eurosexuality.


Eurosexuality? The documentary treats the subject of sex beyond our national boundaries. As Europe becomes increasingly more uniform and globalised, do differences exist in the ways of speaking about and having sex? Or in the end, are we all the same? Do we know how our European neighbours are in terms of intimacy?



Comparing sex lives

From a more practical point of view – considering what we’re talking about, I guess it’s necessary - the questions aroused by the film deal with what we often wonder about: Do Spanish girls kiss differently than the Dutch? Is it true that Italians are the experts when it comes to having sex in the car? Do Greeks have more anal sex than other Europeans? In about an hour we get to know Europeans of all ages quite intimately. The website adds additional information like the outcome of surveys held in 12 European countries. www.eurosexuality.eu

At this point you’re probably wondering how I ‘accidentally’ stumbled upon a site called Eurosexuality. If it wasn’t for the journalistic approach of the documentary, so would I. But there’s more. The discovery of this ‘Eurosexuality’ topic made me eager to explore. How is this subject treated in European media? How often is it on the news? Does it reflect the attitudes we have about sex in our different societies? A quick glance on the net – while swiftly avoiding top ‘sex’ hits on Google – gives us some interesting answers. So, what has the media written on sex lately?

EU shows European sex on YouTube

Quite a surprise. My first hit is an article on how The European Commission (EC) broadcasts sexy videos on internet. The EC presents itself on Youtube as EUtube. Nearly two million users have watched a short clip with sex-scenes from EU-funded movies over a period of three weeks.

http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?&next_url=/watch%253Fv%253DkoRlFnBlDH0

The EU doesn’t seem to have a problem using sex(y) scenes for an advertisement.
Which makes me come to my first verdict : When it comes to sex, Europe as a whole is quite liberal. So how about the media in different nations ?

The British suck in Bed

London – (the Mirror) The British media seem to be quite open on experimenting with sex as well. The British Suck in Bed is a cheeky and entertaining prime-time documentary broadcasted in the UK on Virgin1. Seems like Eurosexuality is not on it’s own out there.

The programme delves into the Brit's reputation for being a nation that is sexually repressed.
It is fronted by comedian Olivia Lee (Balls of Steel) who is tasked with exploring British sex lives and how they compare to our European counterparts.

The results of an in-depth survey will be revealed to find out just what we British and other Europeans get up to in between the sheets, from sexual fantasies to whipping and spanking. Three couples are tasked with introducing a bit of European flair to the bedroom to sauce up their sex lives. But will lederhosen, Swedish sex manuals and Italian cinema do the trick ? The British Suck in Bed has plenty of questions to answer!

Dutch Signboards for Gay Cruising

(AFP) It’s quite well known that the Dutch have no taboo when it comes to talking about sex. But they seem to have quite outdone themselves this time, as they no longer need words to express their open-mindedness:

Amsterdam – (AFP) De Oeverlanden park in Slotervaart in Amsterdam started posting signs this summer designating the areas where "gay cruising" occurs. "gay cruising" ? It includes both finding partners and engaging in sex acts.

According to Agence France-Presse, the municipal spokeswoman Manon Koffijberg explains: “The sexual activities of cruisers is kept mostly to the bushes in the park, and the new signs see to ensure that they stay there.
There are various groups of users of the park; people with small children who bathe on the beaches, those who walk their dogs, gays cruising and nature lovers," says Ms Koffijberg. "Things are arranged so that each group can relax in their own area without intruding on each other."

Having difficulty to imagine what the park and sign look like? You can check it out here : http://www.youtube.com/user/RnW#play/search/0/ZF7oPVwyZZA

German boudoirs give out discount cards

Crossing boarders – but still on the Web - The German also have some interesting news. They have found their own way of dealing with the economical crisis when it comes to the sex industry. As a neigbour to the Dutch, they are bound to give some competition on open-mindedness.

Berlin – (Reuters) It did not take long for the world financial crisis to affect the world's oldest profession in Germany.
In one of the few countries where prostitution is legal, and unusually transparent, the industry has responded with an economic stimulus package of its own: modern marketing tools, rebates and gimmicks to boost falling demand.
Some brothels have cut prices or added free promotions while others have introduced all-inclusive flat-rate fees. Free shuttle buses, discounts for seniors and taxi drivers, as well as "day passes" are among marketing strategies designed to keep business going.

But the Germans aren’t the most daring in facing taboos. After some more search on the web, I stumbled upon yet another interesting article:

Polish priest publishes sex guide

London – (BBC) A Polish Catholic priest has published a book which provides married couples with a theological and practical guide to spicing up their sex lives.
In his book, Sex as you don't know it: for married couples who love God, Father Ksawery Knotz aims to sweep away the strait-laced attitudes many hold.
Sex in marriage, the Franciscan friar explains, should not be boring but "saucy, surprising and fantasy packed".

After an hour spent on the web, I think it’s safe to come back to the first lines of this article. Love and internet indeed have no boundaries. Does Eurosexuality? Not on the web.