Manscaping, social media and politics: The biggest dating turn-ons and turn-offs for singles today

All’s fair in love and war… except if you check your phone on the first date

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Anyone who’s ventured into the world of dating can tell you that enjoying single life isn’t as simple as it sounds.

There are so many rules that you need to consider when meeting a potential suitor for the very first time, especially in our current digital day and age.

When to follow your date on social media, whether to split the bill, when to bring up the tricky topic of politics… the list goes on.

Match.com has commissioned Research Now to conduct their eighth annual Singles in America survey, where they questioned more than 5,000 singletons over their dating dos and don’ts.

The results have revealed today’s singles’ biggest dating turn-ons and turn-offs, and the findings may surprise you.

It’s arguable how well you can really get to know a person after only going out a few times.

However, 75 per cent of the participants said that they would add someone who they've been on a few dates with on Facebook, with 36 per cent revealing they would follow them on Instagram and 34 per cent saying they would add them on Snapchat.

It seems we can’t escape mentions of politics anywhere nowadays, and that includes on dates.

54 per cent of single people believe it’s very important to be aware of their partner’s political views. However, only 23 per cent would bring up the subject during a first date.

It appears that love has the power to overcome political differences, as 72 per cent admitted that they would consider crossing party lines for a romantic partner.

When on a first date, the smallest action could prove to be a deal-maker or a deal-breaker.

94 per cent of the women surveyed said they enjoy it when their date compliments their appearance during their first encounter.

In addition, 90 per cent like it when their date is already waiting for them when they arrive and 91 per cent prefer for the guy to insist on paying the bill.

On the other hand, men who check their phones during dates could find themselves in deep water with 90 per cent heavily disliking the habit.

On top of that, 90 per cent of women feel irritated when a man is over 15 minutes late and 68 per cent don’t appreciate their date ordering their food for them when dining out.

When preparing for a date, it seems that men like to pay close attention to their grooming practises.

27 per cent of the men surveyed would never go ‘ungroomed’ in front of a partner, with 37 per cent of the men saying that they’ll always maintain their manscaping routine.

According to Match.com, a person’s diet can also play a massive part in whether they’re able succeed in their romantic endeavours.

“People who have followed a gluten-free diet are 217 per cent more likely to have had a date in the [past] year and 172 per cent less likely to have had a dry spell that lasted two or more years,” Match.com said.