West is best when it comes to looking for love, according to data compiled by romance experts eharmony.
The dating app has explored Bristolians’ attitudes to dating – including cheesy chat-up lines, where’s best for a first date, and what adults in the trendy city are looking for relationship-wise.
It comes after 500 people, from the home of cider and the Wurzels, were quizzed on their love lives, to give a snapshot of romance in the area.
Working with Dr Julia Carter of the University of West England (UWE), who has commented on key findings in the report, as well as eharmony’s relationship expert Rachael Lloyd, the online dating app hopes to make singletons in Bristol a thing of the past, by matching them with like-minded individuals.
Bristolians are still traditional when it comes to meeting new flames, as 43 per cent most commonly find dates through random meetings in clubs, pubs, or even shops.
However, dating apps and websites account for 32 per cent of new unions in the city – while more than a quarter (27 per cent) are set up through friends and family members.
The study found one in 12 would go ape at the zoo, and one in ten would swim down to the Aquarium for some romance – which is also considered the best place in Bristol to take a first date.
A fifth of respondents admit to liking the classic Bristolian greeting of “Alright me luvver?”, while 14 per cent would blush when told they were “gert lush”.
It emerged one in four (24 per cent) would be willing to travel up to 20km (12 miles) to see a person they’d recently started dating.
However, five per cent would be happy to give someone who lived further than 50km – or 31 miles – away a chance, if they felt they’d made a love-match.
Fast-forward to a few months in, and things are progressing well – but who’s the first to drop those three magic words, in Bristol?
The study revealed men are more likely than women to drop the “L” word first (25 per cent versus 16 per cent) – and those who identify as non-binary are most likely of all (40 per cent).
Perhaps as a result of lockdowns speeding up relationships, adults are tempted to say “I love you” after just a few weeks of dating.
And Bristolians are also gearing up for a summer of love – as nearly a third (31 per cent) say the last time they fell in love was in the summertime.
Interestingly, the love-factor was evenly split between the other three seasons, which each rated 15 per cent.
Of the 69 per cent of respondents who are currently in a relationship, only three-quarters actually believe their current partner is “the one”.
But just over one in 20 (six per cent) admit they don’t even really believe in the concept of “the one” anyway.
Four in ten met their new partner’s parents after a few months – although a tenth had made their acquaintance after just a few days.
The study found 39 per cent get on “fairly well” with the in-laws, and 35 per cent say their relationship is going “very well” – but six per cent admit they don't get on.
Bristolians have also encountered some pretty unusual scenarios in their dating history.
A quarter have encountered an “app addict” – someone who messages on dating apps for weeks but never actually makes a move.
Another fifth were dismayed to learn they had been chatting to a dating desperado – which is someone who looks and acts as if a relationship is the be-all and end-all.
And 18 per cent have been ghosted by a “bash and dasher” – who sleeps with them and then never messages again.
Poor hygiene was deemed the single biggest dating turn-off, with women far more fussy in this regard than men.
More than four in ten (42 per cent) dislike an aggressive date, or someone who is rude – while 35 per cent can’t abide bad manners.
One in four say they don’t have a “type” – although 23 per cent reckon their go-to is someone who loves music.
And 16 per cent are likely to fancy someone who’s a bit of an outdoorsy type, while 11 per cent enjoy when their beau-to-be is sporty.
For one in ten, however, supporting different football teams would be enough to become a deal-breaker.
There can be many fears when it comes to dating – from the worry of having nothing to talk about on a date, to concerns about never meeting “the one”.
When asked what their biggest challenges are when it comes to dating, lack of confidence came in as the highest barrier for Bristolians.
This could stem from previous bad relationships, or simply not getting out there enough to gain the experience and confidence.
This was followed closely by one in three not feeling attractive enough – but what is classed as “attractive’ these days? This is exactly why everyone has a “type”.
The thing to remember is that desirability is fluid – what you might find appealing could be the complete opposite to what someone else does, but each and every one of us has desirable features and traits.
The last two years have been rocky for everyone, let alone the singletons of Bristol – as three in ten believe their views on dating have changed since the pandemic kicked off.
More than a third (37 per cent) want to settle down more now than they ever did – but on the contrary, 22 per cent want more freedom than before.
And six in ten say they’re now simply looking for someone who is honest, while over half (52 per cent) want someone who is kind, and 41 per cent need good manners.
Bristolians would also prefer someone who was funny (51 per cent) over someone who is good in bed (25 per cent) – and just nine per cent would willingly opt for someone who was career-minded.
And 55 per cent of respondents agree that when it comes to dating, opposites attract.
Dr Julia Carter said: “Love, commitment and stability remain very important for couple relationships, as our findings demonstrate.
“The pandemic highlighted even more the risks inherent in contemporary society – so it is not surprising that in its aftermath, singles in Bristol are ever more conscious of insulating against risk and adversity by seeking enduring connections with others.”
Bristolians wanting a five-day trial with eharmony can visit here until Thursday, 23rd June.
And for tips on finding love in Bristol, visit here.
THE TOP 20 DATING TRAITS MOST IMPORTANT TO BRISTOLIANS:
- Honest
- Trustworthy
- Kind
- Funny
- Loving
- Respectful
- Caring
- Considerate
- Understanding
- Easy going
- Good manners
- Compassionate
- Attractive
- Responsible
- Similar interests
- Gentle
- Family orientated
- Good in bed
- Independent
- Forgiving
