Survey Finds Most Men Wouldn't Date Mona Lisa, Even If She Smiled More
7/10/2025
A new cultural opinion poll has revealed that 64% of men would not date Mona Lisa, citing reasons that range from “bad vibe” to “just not my type.” The survey, conducted by the Public Gallery of Modern Behaviour, asked 2,000 adults across multiple countries how they’d feel about dating the woman with the world’s most famously ambiguous smile.
“She looks like she thinks she’s better than me.”
The majority of men surveyed described Mona Lisa as “aloof,” “hard to read,” or “too into herself.” One respondent, 32, from Toronto, said: “She looks like she thinks she’s better than me. Which, to be fair, she probably is. But still.”
When asked whether the famous smile was a positive factor, 41% said it made them “more suspicious.” Several said they preferred “someone more emotionally available,” while one man said it reminded him of his ex “who always knew something I didn’t.”
Only 7% said they would consider dating her, with one respondent clarifying: “If she had a dog, maybe.”
Among younger men (18–24), the most common complaint was that “she seems like she’d correct your grammar,” while others noted her “lack of posting history” as a red flag.
Older respondents were slightly more generous. One man, 58, said: “She seems clever, but you’d need to be in the right headspace. Like post-divorce maybe.”
Interestingly, women in the survey were more likely to support Mona Lisa. Many described her as “tired,” “bored,” or “pretending to enjoy a conversation,” and said she felt “relatable.” One woman added: “I get it. She’s trapped behind glass, surrounded by tourists, and being misinterpreted by straight men. I’d look smug too.”
Respondents from southern France were the most likely to say yes. Many cited “mystery,” “depth,” and “the posture of someone who drinks red wine slowly.” One man from Marseille described her as: “Exactly my type. Looks like she’d ignore me for the entire date, but in a poetic way.”
The Louvre has declined to comment, though one staff member said they overheard someone muttering “six out of ten” under their breath last Thursday.
Would you date Mona Lisa? Or want to comment on the painting? Read what others have to say and add your own thoughts about Mona Lisa.