Singles find dating in winter challenging and many don't bother, survey shows

SINGLES are less likely to date during winter and those who do are bored, a new study claims.

winterdate

SINGLES are less likely to date during winter and those who do are bored, a new study claims.

About a quarter of singles said their dating prospects slowed during the cool months, with 60 per cent saying planning fun dates was ‘‘more challenging’’ during winter, research by dating site eHarmony found.

And experts say singles are ‘‘missing out’’ on romance because they don’t date as much during the chilly season.

Dating expert Elly Taylor said the winter lull set back their romantic prospects.

‘‘It’s a shame ... I think we’re missing out on opportunities,’’ Taylor said.

‘‘We’re doing ourselves a disservice (by) pressing the pause button for a couple of months.’’

She said singles tended to get out more in spring ‘‘when you start to wear the lighter clothes and feel like venturing out’’.

About three quarters of 1000 Aussie singles studied said they went on dull dates and those aged 25 to 34 were more likely than any other age group to be put-off by boring attempts at romance.

And 40 per cent of those surveyed believed blokes should pay for the date.

But young singles aged 18 to 24 were more cash conscious, with nearly 40 per cent opting to split the bill.

They’re increasingly going on unimpressive dates such as coffee, dinner or the flicks, despite three in five saying they had wanted to be more inventive.

Conversation and chemistry, not the location, were found to be the most important factors on a first date.

Quick coffee meet-ups were most popular dates for women because of the ‘‘easy exit strategy’’, the research found.

More than a quarter said they could usually tell if the relationship would get serious only after one date.