We might live in an age of hook up apps and swiping for partners but a new study shows for relationship success couples should wait until date EIGHT to do the deed.
A study of 2,000 US adults by Groupon found the ‘three date rule’ could be a thing of the past.
Results showed the average person polled would wait until date eight in an ideal world before taking things to the bedroom.
Men feel sex is appropriate at any point from date five onwards, but women would rather wait until date nine on average.
Men were however nine times more likely to be ok with sleeping together on the first date (9% v 1%), yet just 30 percent of men and eight percent of women think sex should happen inside the first three dates.
And it’s not just in the bedroom that things are happening slower than you might think- those going on a first date soon shouldn’t get their hopes up for a first date kiss as results showed the average couple now doesn’t kiss until the second date.
Even if it’s gone well, just one in six (17%) will ‘always’ kiss on the first date.
And while 39 percent will still pucker up if a date has gone well, even more (45 percent) say a first date kiss for them will rarely or never happen.
Men are the more eager to lock lips on a first date and are more than twice as likely to say they always kiss on a first date if it’s gone well.
While the younger a person is, the more likely they are to smooch at the end of a first date, according to results.
And sorry guys, but it’s up to you to make the move still- just 3 percent of women think they should be the ones to initiate the first kiss.
But even getting to that stage is far from easy due to the obvious pitfalls of dating – one in ten people have actually turned down a date because they didn’t like the choice of restaurant, while a third (32%) have had to use their best acting skills to turn down a date.
Sometimes people wish they’d turned the date down, nearly a third of those polled have had a horrendously awkward time due to the other person eating off their plate, drinking from their glass or telling them what to order.
That might be why one in seven has even escaped a date by pretending to go to the bathroom and never returning.
If you do manage to make it past the first date, three days is the average wait before setting up date two, with millennials slightly eager to progress things averaging under 48 hours.
So, knowing how to pace things, what venue to pick and how to act on a date are all things to sweat over in the courting process- then there’s the small matter of exclusivity.
Nearly half of those polled have dated more than one person at a time and a fifth of dated THREE or more people at the same time.
Even when you are exclusive, you’re never totally safe- a shocking 30 percent of people confessed that they have a backup person in mind if their current relationship fails!
To stay on your game and ensure relationship success, Groupon’s research found a couple needs to issue at least five random compliments, enjoy two meals out and one date night to the movies a month.
Three days out together, three heart to heart conversations and two times ordering food in during a typical month should also be what happy couples aim for.
“Whether you’re single or in a relationship, fall is a great time for people to head out on dates and take their romantic game to the next level,” said Guido Torrini, VP and GM, Groupon+.
“People aiming for a relationship like to take their time to go on a number of dates and build a connection, which is why picking the right type of activity is an important consideration in the date planning process.”
MONTHLY TARGETS TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP
5 x random compliments
3 x heart to hearts
3 x days out
2 x occasions of spending time with partner’s friends/family
2 x meals in a restaurant
2 x order in food
1 x surprise gift
1 x trip to the movies
TOP 10 FIRST DATE IDEAS
Dinner at a restaurant
Movie theater
Drink at a bar
Meet at a coffee shop
Outdoor activity
Sightseeing around the city
Club/dancing
Concert
Bowling
Comedy club
TOP 10 WAYS TO GET OUT OF A BAD DATE
Pretend to be ill
Have a friend text/call me
Pretend that you’re tired
Say you have plans afterward
Fake a phone call
Have your friend crash the date
Said I needed the bathroom, then never returned
Fake your period
Pet related emergency
Try and disgust your date
