Singles' Dating Styles Across the UK
We all have our own opinions when it comes to love and dating, but are they affected by where we come from? According to recent research, the answer is 'yes'. The LoveGeist Report 2009, a study of over 16,000 people from all over the British Isles, uncovered that people living in different parts of the UK have notably different styles when it comes to love and dating.
Below is a list of each of the 12 regions in the UK, along with their ranking on the romantic beliefs scale, a measure of romanticism originally developed by professors Sprecher and Metts in 1989 and used in The LoveGeist Report.
12th Greater London (London)
London came in last on the romantic beliefs rating, making it the least romantic place to live in the country. Despite this, the singles of London were the keenest on marriage, with 66% hoping to marry one day. Dating in London might be more of a means to an end than in other parts of the country.
11th Scotland (Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh)
Scotland may also have come low on romanticism, but it came high on traditional chivalry, with 90% of men saying they would open doors when dating a woman.
10th North West (Blackpool, Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton)
The North West did a little better on romance, and with 95% of singles in this region looking for a long-term relationship, dating is a popular pastime here.
9th Yorkshire and the Humber (Leeds, Sheffield)
Half (50%) of the singles in Yorkshire would like to marry one day, though less (47%) have made their minds up about children.
8th South West (Plymouth, Bristol)
The South West is clearly a hotspot for dating, with 96% of singles looking for a long-term relationship. Far fewer (49%) have made their minds up about marriage.
7th North East (Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough)
You're in luck if you're dating a man in the North East, with 84% of men happy to pay for things on the first date.
6th East Anglia (Norwich, South End, Cambridge)
East Anglia may only be averagely romantic, but the majority of singles would like to marry (52%) and have children (54%).
5th South East (Southampton, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Oxford, Brighton)
Single ladies of the South East should take this region's men up on their dating offers, with a charming 93% happy to open doors for their date.
4th Northern Ireland (Derry, Belfast)
The high streets of Northern Ireland should start stocking up on buggies, because 65% of singles are already set on the idea having babies at some point in their lives.
3rd West Midlands (Coventry, Stoke on Trent, Wolverhampton, Birmingham)
The West Midlands is the third most romantic region in the UK, as well as having some of the most courteous men. 92% would open doors when dating and 81% would pay for the outing.
2nd East Midlands (Leicester, Nottingham, Derby)
The second most romantic region in the UK is less keen on the idea of having children, with under half (47%) of singles saying they would like to have kids.
1st Wales (Cardiff, Swansea)
Wales is officially the most romantic place in the UK. Perhaps the luscious green landscape stokes the fires of passion in its residents.
match.com is the UK's biggest online dating site. With thousands of new members joining everyday you won't have a better chance of finding love online anywhere else.
Online Dating in the UK
The word dating used to be viewed in the UK as an American thing - the British would 'go out' with people, Americans would go 'dating'. Like most American words/phrases, 'dating' seems to have become part of British speak, and that's a good thing - 'dating' is a cool word. I think this is partly due to the increasing popularity of online dating sites, as previously, we Brits probably wouldn't have used the word. We had several other words to describe the activity, but 'dating' wasn't one of them. Internet dating has become very popular in Britain now, and as well as changing our language it has also changed a lot of lives. The following article looks at the increasing popularity of online dating in the UK.
It is only really in the last few years that internet dating has become part of the mainstream. Prior to this, any kind of dating agency activity (be it lonely hearts, classified ads, online/offline dating agencies) wasn't really something we would boast about participating in. Nowadays, we all know someone who has tried online dating, and they all seem to be having a great time.
Most of the big dating sites, have huge international databases, and people in dozens of countries can join and search for local dates. This is an option for UK online dating - join up at Match.com or equivalent, and you will have access to thousands of UK based members. The search criteria can be drilled down to more specific locale, so this is an excellent route to take for the UK internet dater.
There are also sites which are part of a larger dating site company with a huge database but with different sites catering for local users. An example of such a site is Glad-Eye, which is aimed at UK singles, but is part of a network of international dating sites. Again, this is a good option for UK internet dating.
We are all familiar with the Friends Reunited website, the site which puts old school friends in touch with one another. They also offer a dating service, which I haven't personally tried but it's probably pretty good if its part of the Friends Reunited brand. This is an example of a more localised site for UK online singles.
Traditionally, newspapers had lonely hearts pages where singles would advertise their GSOH (good sense of humour) and state who they WLTM (would like to meet). Nowadays, newspapers have dating sites of their very own. A quick Internet browse of UK newspapers reveals that the following have their own specialist dating sites: The Guardian, the Telegraph, the Daily Record and even The Times. These services are pretty good, but this means you will only meet people who read the same newspaper as you do... Might want to spread your wings a bit more...
Another pointer to the growth of internet dating in the UK is the number of dating tips websites that have popped up (including my own, of course!!). These sites usually offer tips, dating site reviews, and usually a free newsletter.
By now you will realise that internet dating has really taken off in the UK. We all know someone who has tried it and are perhaps thinking of trying it ourselves. As far as online dating in the UK goes, you have a wide choice from multi-national sites with local searches, to your favourite newspaper's dating site. You should try them all!
Fifty Reasons Australian Singles Use Online Dating and Chat Rooms
75% of online singles claim they are looking for a life partner - a much higher percentage than the locals down the pub.
Australian online dating sites guard you from overseas online daters.
Contact is quick when online dating, with free sites offering instant messenger, video cam chat and groups, there is a chance for everyone to converse the way they choose to.
Convenience.
Dating profiles allow you to accurately determine if an online single would suit you.
Even if you don't meet a long lasting partner, you can make many friends with common interests.
We all know someone who met their partner online and that could be you.
Fear of rejection is lessened as everybody is aware of where they stand before they chat to initial members and can decide whether to pursue or not.
Online dating can enable you to chat secretly with several singles before taking the next step.
The internet allows singles to get to know someone fairly well before committing to meeting them in person.
The web can be very safe if you don't hand out private information in early chats - the other member has no way of tracing you.
The web can assist you overcome feelings of shyness, paranoia and insecurity.
Internet dating chat can be kept for later reference, meaning you wont forget what you were chatting about.
Chat rooms offer an excellent source of dating advice for new timers or the not so experienced.
The internet isn't dangerous - you don't have to go to meet an unknown stranger and you can always let your mother know where you are.
Online dating can be very private, no one need know that you have joined a dating site.
Dating sites mean you can find groups of singles or set up your own groups for similar minded singles.
Profiles can inform you about a person more so than initial conversations usually can, therefore you are more likely to choose someone with suitable dating credentials.
Potential partners have a better chance to get to know one an other as they are not restricted by closing times, the picture theatre finishing or the date ending.
The best free sites allow singles to chat endlessly without charge.
The amount of online singles available is huge.
The online dating friends you find may be sober!
The friends you meet are single (hopefully!) and you wont have to second guess it.
Statistics show the chances of your online dating relationship will out last "conventional" dating methods.
There are usually new online dating members waiting to chat.
There isn't any social stigma attached to online nowadays.
Web cam chat permits you to see the other member and so you can tell if the attraction is there.
You are not limited by distance.
You cant get sunburnt when online dating.
You can "date" many singles in the early days then find the one you like the best.
You can easily get out of online friendships that are not working.
You can flirt away until your hearts content, safe that nobody will take you too seriously - unless you would like them to.
You can find people wanting the same amount of commitment - marriage, serious romance, casual sex, friendship, chat and dates.
You can find people with marginal interests that match yours - You may not be the only one who collects lunch boxes? Online you will discover someone else who shares your interest.
You can meet someone fast - often on the first sign on.
You can sometimes see the singles you would like to chat with before initiating a conversation.
You can online date and don't have to feel guilty at leaving your dog home by themself.
you can go online dating at any time of the day or night.
You can online date when the kids are asleep and get to know others without introducing lots of new "dads" or "mums"
You do not need to ask for someone's mobile number to online date them, the method of contact is established.
You do not need any money when online dating using free dating sites.
You do not need such great social skills when online dating. You can get to know people over time and get over any initial awkwardness.
You do not need to get new clothes and dress up to meet online singles.
You don't get surrounded in smoke when you are internet dating (or alternatively you can smoke yourself to death whilst online dating)
You don't have to wait for the weekend to meet your dream partner - you could chat to them before work, during work (don't get caught!) or after work.
You wont get burgled while you are online dating.
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