APPY TOGETHER

Survey reveals over a third of Irish people use online dating sites

MORE than a third of us have dated someone we met online, a survey revealed yesterday.

And 38% of men relied more heavily on social media and apps to find love compared to one third of women.

Splitting the bill is the popular choice when it comes to handling the cost of a date as the expectation on men to pay has eased.

Around 39% of diners – both male and female – opt to pay their share, while just under a third claim they try to pay for themselves and their date. A total of 61% of

Online site men say they always try to cover the total cost of the bill, with just 4% of women admitting forking out. A quarter believe whoever initiated the date should always pay, the Jury’s Inn study to mark Leap Year revealed.

The ancient tradition on February 29 presents the sole opportunity for women to ask their male partner to marry them. Spokeswoman Suzanne Cannon said:

“While the leap year is seen by some as an opportunity to propose a marriage, dating in Ireland and abroad has become more diverse.

“The findings show an interesting shift from traditional dating habits with more people opting to split the bill on a first date, over letting one person pay in full.

“The new research is indicative of the changing habits of Irish people, who still love to get out, meet new people and spend time with loved ones, whatever t h a t means to them.”

The survey, which quizzed 1,000 respondents, also suggests the stereotype of online dating being primarily for younger generations is changing.

Just 7% of people over 55 said they had dated someone after hooking up in a virtual sense online.

But, in contrast, more than a third of 45 to 54-year-olds admitted they had made a connection with an online love interest and met up with them.

TAKE A SWIPE

61% of men cover total cost of the bill when on a date compared to 4% of women