Pretending not to feel well, claiming a family member is ill, and feigning an emergency at work, are the top excuses Brits have used – to get out of going on a date, research has found.
Almost have of disinterested adults (44%) have cancelled a date before it even begins – using excuses like having a headache, a broken down car, or being stuck in traffic.
And one in five, of 2,000 adults polled, have left a date halfway through, using tactics such as claiming their pet is ill, or having a friend call them with a fake emergency.
The study found that Brits will put up with 51 minutes of a bad date before making an excuse to leave – although it takes half that time (25 minutes) to notice a “spark”, or lack of it.
The research was commissioned by breakdown provider, Britannia Rescue, part of LV= General Insurance, which has joined forces with TV personality Denise Van Outen to set up a “Dateside Rescue Hotline” – generating excuses to help people make a swift exit from a boring date.
Denise Van Outen said: “Over the years I’ve certainly been on my fair share of bad dates.
“We all know there’s nothing worse than when you just don’t click with someone, and desperately want to be rescued.
“I had a lot of fun coming up with the excuses for this one, and hope the hotline goes a little way to help elevate the pain of bad dates this February.”
The study also found that those who are going to cancel a date while still in the planning stages, will typically do so 19 hours in advance of the event.
And almost one in four (23%) admitted to “ghosting” someone by stopping all contact with them before a date, while three in ten have been stood up.
But 58% have sat through a meeting despite knowing there was no spark – because of a need to be polite (72%), a hope it might get better (37%), and feeling uncomfortable saying anything (36%).
However, for 48%, honesty is the best policy, and they claim to be upfront with the other person about why they are leaving or cancelling a date.
Tell-tale signs a date might not be right before even arriving included poor conversation flow (52%), struggling for topics to talk about (50%), and no sense of humour (48%).
While rudeness (48%), constantly checking their phone (37%), and an awkward atmosphere (36%), are behaviours which would cause people to consider making an excuse and leaving a date.
For a meet-up to be considered a success, two-thirds (68%) need to feel comfortable, while 58% require lots of laughter – and 57% simply look for a “spark”.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, found 53% claim to enjoy dating, and would even travel an average of 24 miles for a really good date.
And the top dating venues or activities were found to be a restaurant dinner (38%), drinks at a bar (29%), and a walk (22%).
Henry Topham, at LV= Britannia Rescue, said: “We’re all too familiar with knowing what it feels like when you need to be rescued – and while we’re traditionally in the habit of looking after broken-down vehicles, this February we’re happy to be stepping in to rescue daters from the awful pain of a bad date.
“Does your date not look like their picture, or won’t stop talking about their ex? Don’t despair, because our rescue service is here to help.”
The hotline will run from 1st to 11th February, from 5-9pm Thursday to Saturday – message “I need a Dateside Rescue” to 07830 794713, and wait to receive your excuse.
TOP 20 EXCUSES PEOPLE HAVE USED TO GET OUT OF A DATE:
- You're not feeling well
- A family member is ill
- An emergency at work
- You have a headache
- You forgot about something important you need to do instead
- Telling them you realise you aren't ready for a relationship
- Your car broke down
- You have a deadline at work
- Friends or family just showed up for a surprise visit
- You're stuck in traffic
- You forgot
- Your pet is ill
- You accidentally already ate
- You can't find the date venue
- You've had an allergic reaction
- You've been arrested
- Your date looks too similar to a sibling or other relative
- You've just been mugged
- Your date looks too similar to your ex
- A pipe has burst at home
