Today.com and
Match.com teamed up on a Love Bites survey that reveals turn-ons and turn-offs of dating-related dining etiquette and food choices.
Vidya Rao, Today.com Food Editor, says, "Food is an integral part of our culture, and so many of us fall in love over a good meal. We attach our memories and emotions to what we eat, and as a result, learn a lot about someone by observing their attitude about food. It's a basic human need, and we use that to judge how a date might be in a relationship. Is he adventurous? Is she respectful? It's a lot deeper than what's on the plate."
Dr. Helen Fisher, Chief Scientific Advisor to Match.com, says, "Food, sex and courtship go hand in hand in nature. Food also informs: what and how a partner eats - and if they share - says crucial things about their habits, health and empathy. We are also built to want an adventurous eater, a sign that this individual will be flexible - a vital trait for loving and parenting. And of all the foods we share, there is nothing more primordial than meat. It's no surprise that meat-eaters still want a partner who will give, receive and share this primordial symbol of a budding partnership."
Here are some highlights from the Love Bites survey:
Drinking Dos and Don'ts
- You Booze, You Lose?: Nearly 70% of women said it was a big turn-off if their date had more to drink than they did, while 23% of single men and women said it was a turn-off if their date had nothing at all to drink.
- Alcohol Etiquette: When it comes to drinking alcohol on a date, 43% of singles said they order a drink "most of the time" while 40% said they would only order a drink if their date ordered one as well.
Types of Foodies
- Close-minded Carnivores: Meat-eaters appear to be less liberal than vegetarians with regards to choosing a dating partner. The study found 30% of meat-eaters would not date a vegetarian versus only 4% of vegetarians who stated they would not date a meat-eater.
- Culinary Degree Necessary?: 19% of singles said they would stop dating someone who couldn't cook or refused to cook.
- Fearless Foodies: Adventurous eaters trump knowledgeable foodies in Love Bites. 66% of singles are turned off if a date lacks desire to try certain types of food and 35% of singles would be turned off by a date's lack of food knowledge.
The Date
- Dinner Date Still a Do: More than 90% of single males still think a traditional dinner date is the perfect atmosphere for a first or second date.
- Dining Don'ts: Uncovering the biggest turn-offs in dating, 67% of singles don't want their date ordering for them; 62% are turned off if their date asks to split the check; and 56% are turned off by a date who is picky when ordering.
- Appetizing Acts: In looking at what turns singles on, 70% appreciate a date that is knowledgeable about food and wine pairings, and 56% said they enjoy it when their date offers a bite of his/her food.
- Wait Staff Flirting: 87% of singles said it was a turn-off if their date flirted with the wait staff versus a mere 4% who said it was a turn-on.
You can see a larger version of the infographic below - which highlights results from from the survey -
here.
Image: Business Wire
