December 11th is officially when British singles “give up” on finding a partner, preferring to wait until the new year for a dating overhaul, according to a new study released today by Match.
Almost a third (31 per cent) of single Britons think the festivities get in the way of dating, as people are too busy catching up with friends and family and don’t have the time to dedicate to it. 24 per cent believe they’ll have more success in the new year, with 13 per cent admitting that finding a partner is top of their list of new year’s resolutions. A further one in six (16 per cent) say they’ll be visiting family in another town and don’t want to date someone who doesn’t live nearby.
In fact, the Christmas period can often leave singles feeling disillusioned (21 per cent). Almost one in seven (13 per cent) say they’d rather not attend family functions during the holidays due to the inevitable questions and interference in their love life. Unwanted comments such as “aww you’ll find someone soon” and “there are plenty more fish in the sea” irk single Brits the most.
With so many singles holding out until the new year, Match predicts that Sunday 1st Jan will be the busiest day for online dating. Traffic will peak at 10pm, making it the most popular time for people to be actively looking for a partner.
However, the research from Match reveals that December is actually the best time to date and if people choose not to mingle during this time they’re potentially missing out on 54 likes. Almost two thirds of singles (62 per cent) say the Christmas period is the most romantic time of the year (beating Valentine’s Day) and 18 per cent say it’s the romanticism of Christmas that sparks the desire to get into a relationship. A further 34 per cent say the festivities and excitement put people in a better mood, with 22 per cent believing there are more fun date ideas during this time of year.
Hayley Quinn, dating expert for Match says “If getting into a relationship is a goal of yours it’s good to keep consistently making an effort to meet people. Although Christmas can feel like a huge pause for your social plans, it’s important to stay open to meeting someone during this time. Whether it’s setting aside time to reply daily to people’s messages or going on a date via an in-app video call, remember, there are still ways to date if you’re away for a few weeks over this period.
“If you are met with unwanted questions about “why you’re single”, remember that you don’t have to justify yourself. We are all on our own timelines and falling in love isn’t a race, it’s of course about choosing the right partner for you. Instead, you can choose to answer affirmatively that you’re enjoying single life right now or change the topic to something you are passionate about. Whatever you do, don’t feel like you have to explain yourself – there’s nothing lesser about being single compared to being in a relationship.”
When it comes to dating ticks and icks, 39 per cent say making a sexual innuendo is the biggest turn off, followed by bad grammar (32 per cent). A joke (37 per cent) or a genuine question about their profile (25 per cent) was awarded the best way to hit it off. Moreover, once the initial move has been made, almost a quarter of single Brits (23 per cent) confess that the excessive use of emojis are the ultimate turn off when conversing with a match.
Looking ahead to 2023, Match predicts the following dating trends to emerge:
1. Consciously couponing: It used to be considered cringey for a date to use a voucher, but with everyone feeling the financial squeeze, money saving dates are making a comeback. That could be deal hunting, using vouchers, or opting for more low key dates (the lockdown walk and talk) versus doing a more extravagant dinner date. Be prepared as this may also lead to a surge in people suggesting “at home” dates too. Although this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, ensure you’re always cautious and meet for the first time in a public place.
2. Double Dutch: Some people love ‘going Dutch’ on a date, whilst others would traditionally be mortified if their date didn’t offer to pay. However, with inflation through the roof the expectation to be “treated” to a date may encourage more to consider paying their way. By sharing the also definitely the possibility here for people to form more authentic connections, and choose partners based on a genuine connection than a flashy date.
3. Conflabbing: Lots of singles have cottoned on to the power of voice when it comes to dating. Adding a voice note to your profile is a great way to express your personality to your dates, without typing a far-too-long message to them. Listening to a voice can help know whether you’ll find someone attractive, so remember, this works both ways – upload a voice note to your profile and show a match what you have to offer.
To help Brits meet someone special, whenever suits them, Match has introduced new features to its platform, including Live Rooms – an engaging new video chat experience that enables singles to safely join an audio and / or video chat room with people matching your age range and interests. Members can also now use Match Voice to update their profile with a voice note, providing an additional, entertaining way to express themselves and give a greater insight into their personality.
ENDS