Being insensitive to other people’s feelings and concerns and having poor personal hygiene can rapidly turn your first date into your last, according to a pre-Valentine’s Day survey of 2,415 US adults.
The survey also found that women are more likely to judge quickly and break off contact if things don’t go smoothly on day 1. The only ‘offence’ for which women had more tolerance than men was in the spending department.
Men were more concerned if their partner showed a tendency to splurge, at 34 percent, than women, at 28 percent.
“Many modern daters often offer to at least pay part of their share, and if not, are cognizant and order moderately priced items,” said Jackie Warrick, President and Chief Savings Officer at CouponCabin.com, which conducted the survey in January.
The biggest difference in tolerance levels between men and women were for using a mobile phone too much during a date. 82 percent women and 68 percent men found it a ‘deal breaker.’
Being rude to a server or host/hostess was a ‘deal breaker’ for 80 percent of the women and 65 percent of the men.
The ‘deal breakers’ on first dates (averaged for men and women) are given below:
* Poor hygiene, such as body odor, bad teeth, and dirty hair – 84 percent
* Using their mobile phone too much; constantly texting, checking email – 75 percent
* Being rude to a server or host/hostess – 73 percent
* Talking too much about an ex – 70 percent
* Flirting with the server or host/hostess – 61 percent
* Date drinking too much alcohol – 60 percent
* Aggressive driving – 49 percent
* Not offering to pay for the whole date, or at least to pay for their share – 33 percent
* Being too expensive of a date (e.g. ordering the most costly food and drink) – 31 percent
* Talking about a potential long-term future together – 30 percent
* Using websites or social media (e.g. Facebook) to find out information before the date – 26 percent