This is a news the guys in Ahmedabad may rejoice over. A staggering 97 per cent girls in the city believe that a cellphone is the best way to keep in touch with men. The ratio in other big five cities is much less — 93 per cent for Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, and 91 and 87 per cent for Pune and Chandigarh respectively.

A survey, conducted by AXE Research Lab, has shown Amdavadi girls in a new light. It revealed that they are sexually more liberated nowadays, do not hesitate in making advances if they find the men attractive enough and are willing to ignore the social code meant for the conservative, traditional Amdavadi girls.

The report is based on the inputs of 750 girls surveyed in six different cities in India, where the Axe Research Lab studied style and fragrance trends relevant for young girls. The survey report, released on Wednesday, said the girls in Ahmedabad are at par with the guys when it comes to flirting and showing interest in the opposite sex.

For example, in Ahmedabad, the girls are no longer shy about flirting, they do it rather openly and don't go by stereotypes. Women confess to flirting while shopping in the mall or even sitting in the class. The new-age romance seems to start and rapidly grow over the phone. 'Phone flirting' is easy, simple and so intimate. In Ahmedabad, 91 per centof girls surveyed said they were willing to exchange phone numbers with a guy if they like him in the first meeting.

Niyati Juthani, a BA student, sees nothing wrong in exchanging phone number with guys in the very first meeting. "This is no big deal if I really feel attracted to the guy and want to know him better. I don't fall in love simply by interacting for a few minutes. It takes time and for that I will have to make a move before it is too late," she said.

In fact, desi professionals freely admit of text messaging to flirt or keep the track of lovers. After a point, the sheer addiction to messaging keeps the love ball rolling. So much so that, as the survey found out, 73 per cent of women believe that a relationship can grow steadily with a heavy SMS phase in the beginning.

There are, however, some like Sonia Shantyanu John, a BSc student, who would rather look for a mediator. "Even if I like a guy, I want a common friend who can talk to the guy for me. I have never exchanged phone numbers with a guy at the first meeting. If ever such a situation arises, I ask one of my friends to do that for me," she said.

Apparently, a new wave seems to have hit the air which keeps the girls' fingers clicking on the number of the man their heart desires. "A large number of girls, 73 per centto be precise, believe that a relationship can mature into a steady one with SMS flow in the beginning," concludes the Axe Research Lab survey. After the alluring SMSes, long chats on the phone will follow naturally, it added.

About 74 per centgirls in Ahmedabad are confident about exchanging contact numbers with guys, while in Bangalore, Pune and Chandigarh the ratio is higher — 83, 85 and 91 per cent respectively. Of the total girls surveyed, 65 per centin Ahmedabad admit that before meeting a date, they would like to talk to guy over the phone.

91% girls in A’bad are willing to exchange numbers with a guy if they like him in the first meeting

Girls in Ahmedabad are no longer shy about flirting; they do it rather openly and don’t go by stereotypes. Women confess to flirting while shopping in the mall or even sitting in class (Misbah Nayeem Qadri contributed to this report)

Paras Jha & Himansh Dhomse/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication