According to the latest research, “experts” say that women need to be complimented five times a day.

Nine out of ten women say they love to be complimented. However, according to the research, carried out by Loire Valley White Wines, only 16 percent thought they received their five a day.

Worse, two-thirds thought they were being complimented less than they were five years ago, and believed gentle flattery was becoming a lost art.

Clearly feminism has a lot to answer for, because men now believe a compliment will cause offence. On the other side of the fence, most women are highly likely to suspect the motives of anyone offering an admiring comment.

Relationship expert Christine Webber says, “In my experience, women do care a great deal about what people think about them. A compliment massively boosts self-esteem. And while it may seem frivolous, it is in fact a vital ingredient for well-being.”

She adds that many men are terrified of an innocent remark being wrongly interpreted. “I think political correctness and fear of saying the wrong thing is the main cause of men failing to compliment women who are not their partners.”

Miss Webber should be complimented on the accuracy of her observations.