Researchers from Ourtime, a dating service dedicated to singles over 50, surveyed the nation’s over 50s to reveal what romance means to them, with being told “I love you” (47 percent), a spontaneous hug (47 percent), a wintery walk followed by a pub lunch (43 percent) and snuggling in bed or on the sofa (42 percent) all coming ahead of a surprise weekend in Paris (39 percent).
In fact, according to the 2,000 Brits surveyed, people in later life simply want to be brought a cup of tea in bed (35 percent), have a shoulder massage (34 percent) and be asked about their day (26 percent).
For one in four (24 percent) a knowing wink is a signal of love, while for a quarter (22 percent) being told you look good, even in your scruffs makes their heart sing.
Someone apologising when they are wrong (18 percent), dancing with you in the kitchen (17 percent) and who knows EXACTLY how you take your tea (11 percent) were other signs of a true romantic, according to the Brits surveyed.
Joanna Pons of Ourtime said: “Romance isn’t always about impressing your partner with grand gestures or showering them with gifts, it can in fact be shown through the smallest of gestures. The research findings clearly show that this is especially the case for those over 50. Having lived experience, they now know that it’s the little things in life that are important in showing that they care.”
“Our aim is to help over fifties to take action on their love life, so the next time you want to impress your partner, forget the flowers and chocolates or fancy weekends away – we suggested instead trying things as simple as asking them about their day or surprising them with a cup of tea in bed.”
The survey also found that on average, Brits over 50 go on two date nights a month – the equivalent of 24 date nights a year – with ‘I love you’ being muttered an average of four times a day (the equivalent of 1,460 times a year).
It is no surprise then that one in four (26 percent) say they are romantic, performing at least six small romantic gestures a week. Men perform more gestures a week (seven) compared to women (six).
More than half (56 percent) say they are more romantic now than in their younger years.
Four in ten (44 percent) show their love for their partner by spending quality time together, while a fifth (19 percent) prefer words of affirmation like I love you. A sixth (18 percent) express their love through physical touch, with a further 17 percent choose to do something for their partner.
A fifth (21 percent) think their partner is romantic, while four in ten (38 percent) say that romance is very important to them in their relationship.
One in three (35 percent) agree that their generation is romantic at heart and that romance is alive and well in the modern age (60 percent).
A quarter (23 percent) wish they had more romance in their relationship.
Three quarters (79 percent) agree that romantic gestures don’t always have to be big and bold, while two in three (62 percent) think that small gestures can make you feel more love than big romantic gestures.
A half (47 percent) believe that small romantic gestures are the secret to a happy relationship, while four in ten (39 percent) prefer smaller actions to bigger ones.
A quarter (23 percent) think that grand declarations of love can across as cheesy or insincere.
TOP 45 SMALL ROMANTIC GESTURES ACCORDING TO OVER 50S
- Being told ‘I love you’ when you least expect it 47%
- A spontaneous hug 47%
- Going for a wintery walk then a pub lunch 43%
- Snuggling in bed or on the sofa 42%
- Holding hands when walking down the street 39%
- A surprise weekend in Paris 39%
- Receiving unexpected, spontaneous kisses 36%
- Being brought a cup of tea in bed 35%
- Having your favourite meal cooked for you 35%
- Having your shoulders massaged 34%
- Being treated to breakfast in bed 34%
- Finding little love notes around the house 30%
- A candlelit dinner 30%
- Being brought a bunch of flowers 29%
- Being asked about my day 26%
- Turning off phones and talking to each other 25%
- Receiving a knowing wink when out 24%
- Sending a love text 23%
- Being told you look good, even in your scruffs 22%
- A surprise takeaway so you don’t have to cook 22%
- Sending a love letter 21%
- Partner rubbing your feet after a hard day at work 19%
- Being brought a box of chocolates 18%
- Someone apologising when they are wrong 18%
- Partner doing the washing up after dinner 17%
- Dancing together in the kitchen 17%
- Your picture as your partner’s mobile wallpaper 16%
- Holding the door open 16%
- Sending a love email 16%
- Someone running a bubble bath 15%
- Pulling out your chair in a restaurant 12%
- Getting into a TV series together 12%
- Being offered the last bite of chocolate cake 12%
- Letting you watch whatever you want on TV 12%
- Someone knowing how you like your tea 11%
- Partner offers to swap meals 11%
- Partner making a packed lunch for you 11%
- Receiving a phone call, rather than a text 11%
- Your picture as your partner’s computer screensaver 10%
- Partner cleaning the bathroom 10%
- Someone knowing how you like your coffee 10%
- Your other half vacuuming the house 10%
- Having the bed made before you get in it 9%
- Someone making a playlist of your favourite songs 9%
- Being asked questions about your life 8%
ENDS
Research of 2,000 UK based adults commissioned by Ourtime and conducted by Perspectus Global in February 2023.