Quelle horreur! The French are world’s top scaredy-cats, according to research (done by the London Dungeon)

 
Fear test: Participants at the London Dungeon
Emer Martin8 June 2012

The French are the world’s least brave nation according to research by a London tourist attraction.

The London Dungeon wanted to see how different nationalities react to its shows so commissioned Professor Brendan Walker from Middlesex University to conduct tests into the “scare thresholds” of visitors.

Stimuli such as live rats and maggot-infested meat were used to study people’s responses, including heart rate, sweat levels and facial expressions.

Professor Walker and his team concluded the French were easiest to frighten followed by the Italians and Brazilians. Next came the English and Scots, with Americans and Germans proving to be harder to scare. He said: “Most of the ratings are in keeping with what one might expect but there are some curve balls in there.

“I would certainly have anticipated that France, Italy and Brazil would come high up the list of most scared, but am surprised at some of the Anglo countries’ (USA, England and Scotland) relative ‘squeamishness’ — hardly in keeping with the stereotypes of the unshakeable British bulldog or Scotland the brave.”

London Dungeon general manager Ben Sweet said: “It will be very useful for our team of actors, enabling them to ramp up or tone down the experience for different groups.”

1. France

2. Italy

3. Brazil

4. England

5. Scotland

6. Sweden

7. India

8. Hungary

9. USA

10. Germany

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