Dating app Match is warning singles of the biggest potential turn-offs of 2023 with sexual innuendos when messaging a potential partner and bad grammar listed as the worst mistakes. A cheesy chat up line and replying too slowly are also considered a vibe killer.
Instead, opening with a joke or a genuine question about a person’s profile are the top ‘ticks’ for a prospective partner and the best way to grab someone’s attention. Emojis are also a bone of contention for singles; the research reveals that less is more, as almost one in four believe that too many emojis are off-putting when messaging a match.
The top emojis considered cringey that should be “cancelled” from your digital dating vocabulary include the eggplant, the tongue, the devil, the peach, the strong arm, the lipstick kiss and the broken heart. 47% of people said they hate the eggplant emoji.
Match data reveals that Sunday, January 1, dubbed “Singles’ Sunday”, was one of the busiest ever days for the platform, with traffic peaking at 10pm. Hayley Quinn, dating expert for Match said: “If you're looking to make the most of your matches in 2023, then you can create some easy wins by avoiding common dating turn-offs – some more obvious than others. Examples being the overuse of emojis, as they now look dated and uncool, and having poor grammar. When doing so, re-read your messages before hitting send to ensure you’re giving off an idea of your best self to a potential partner.
“Although the economic outlook is bleak, singles are more motivated than ever to meet someone. There are advantages to being in a couple (it's much easier to save) and more than that, the love and connection we get from relationships is a great buffer against the gloomy news. Expect to see a trend of singles cutting costs by committing to more video-dates, and splitting the bill, more than ever before. However, remember that we’re all on our own dating journeys and finding someone at the right time is as important as finding someone at all”.
Match has predicted some big dating trends for 2023:
- Consciously couponing: It used to be considered cringey for a date to use a voucher, but with everyone feeling the financial squeeze, money saving dates are making a comeback.
- Double Dutch: Some people love ‘going Dutch’ on a date, whilst others would traditionally be mortified if their date didn't offer to pay. However, with inflation through the roof there will no longer be an expectation to be "treated" to a date and going 50/50 will be more popular.
- Conflabbing: Lots of singles have cottoned on to the power of voice when it comes to dating. Adding a voice note to your profile is a great way to express your personality to your dates, without typing a far-too-long message to them.
- Cannonballing: We’ve had too many years of ghosting and breadcrumbing - singles are fed up of idle daters. They’re ready to cut to the chase and dive into the deep end with their potential partner.
- Thawing: Sometimes matches are “frozen” - whether it is due to work commitments, travel, or simply life getting in the way. Rekindling may take time, but with a dose of patience and leaving space for the other to rebuild dialogue, singles are hopeful it will lead to a date well worth the wait!
- Scrumming: A one-on-one date can be stressful for some: meeting a stranger for the first time and breaking the ice with awkward conversation can make it difficult to navigate how you really feel about a person. To avoid this and keep the act of dating fun (and not a ‘waste of time’), we’ve seen a trend of singles arranging dates with other couples.
- Hesidating: “Taking it slow” is no novel approach to dating, but singles today are implementing an extra layer of patience in their dating life.
