The Dating game
Women are becoming more confident about their dating choices and who they want to be in a relationship with
less Than 40 per cenT Women feel ThaT The man should pay on The fIrsT daTe
Dating and especially online dating has come of age in India, with tons of singles choosing an app to help them find new friends, lovers and partners—even life partners. But what is even more interesting is that perceptions around how we view and treat each other is also changing. TrulyMadly just concluded its annual ‘The Big Date Survey’ among 1,500 respondents and the findings are quite telling.
Male grooming has become important over time
When we did this survey three years ago, 39 per cent men felt that grooming is best left to women, that number is now down to 15 per cent. Men now realise the importance of grooming and how it improves their chances of getting liked. They are also investing in that all-important selfie to make sure they look good and realise that now women have a lot of choices when it comes to choosing a guy to like on a dating app. So, best foot (or face) forward is the mantra.
Planning the date together
85 per cent men and nearly the same percentage of women feel they should plan the date together. Only 46 per cent women felt this way three years ago. Less than 40 per cent women feel that the man should pay on the first date, down from nearly 60 per cent earlier. So, the power equation is increasingly becoming equal and this makes for a healthy long-term relationship.
Brains over looks
Three years ago, women were ambivalent about choosing brains over looks, this time around a resounding 96 per cent approach are dating this way. Also, women seem to have grown more confident about handling an awkward date situation with 44 per cent choosing to get out of the situation versus only 35 per cent last time. On the issue of trust, women seem to be trusting less with under 40 per cent willing to share their Facebook passwords with boyfriends. The number was 50 per cent earlier. Men need to work on building that trust for a lasting relationship. And 46 per cent women and 55 per cent men give importance to their careers as opposed to a relationship. This has not changed and shows that both have their heads in the right place.
Dealing with conflict
Both men and women have matured in the way they handle conflict with each other. While close to 40 per cent each chose to solve a fight rationally three years ago, the number is up to 70 per cent for both sexes this time around. The experience of meeting more new people with the advent of dating apps has helped men and women look at relationships in a mature manner.
So, overall it seems that women are growing confident about making their own choices when it comes to education, hobbies, jobs and now even dating and relationships. This is a function of increasing independence, moving to different cities to study or to work and being masters of their own destiny.