A recent survey of 38,912 singles by It’s Just Lunch found that:

1 in 8: the chance a women has for a 2nd date if she has not heard from him within 24 hours of their first date.

NML says: I have mixed feelings about this one as many guys are confused by the calling protocol and actually don’t know when the appropriate time to call is. However, that said, when a guy really likes you, they tend to make it their priority to call you ASAP and will take the chance that it may be too soon. I certainly think that if you haven’t heard from him within 3 days max, move on.

Top conversation killers: past relationship – 49%, dieting or body image – 21%, politics – 15% and marriage – 15%.

NML says: Amen! It is good to see that the statistics back up my biggest pet peeve about what people talk about on dates – their past relationships. Ex’s do not belong on dates! Dieting and body image conversations can throw up insecurities or put the other party in the position of having to feel like they need to reassure you. Obviously if you already feel insecure, no amount of reassurance is going to change that. Politics is a dicey one, especially if you’re the type of person that likes to get into fierce debates. I always recommend steering clear until you know your audience! As for marriage, discussing it on the first date? What are you? On crack?

17% – the chance of liking a date set up by a friend.

NML says: I’m not surprised. It’s amazing how your friends taste goes out the window when they need to set you up with someone. Bad enough that you may feel desperate not to be single, but when your friend feels that desperation, roll on the bad set up! Also, friends rarely know people in the context of dating.

88% of women find money to be very important in a relationship.

NML says: That sounds like such a superficial statement and I don’t think it’s in the way that it is implied. Having a J.O.B., a willingness to work, and a healthy attitude towards responsibilities is important. And also, let’s be real here – When a man earns less than the woman in a relationship, it often ends in tears. Most men are not comfortable with this and it does impact severely on the dynamics. Men have been programmed since time began to be hunter/gatherers and even with the changes of the past 40 years or so, it doesn’t kill that instinct. Relationships have enough problems without insecurity about who earns more than the other and the issue tends to be avoided if both parties are at least on equal footing.

Topic ignored on a first date – 60% of women and 64% of men don’t talk about politics on a first date.

NML says: Good. There are better ways to get to know someone. If only this percentage of people ignored the topic of their past relationships.

52% of singles feel they are too busy to meet other singles.

NML says: People are rarely that busy. They’re either disillusioned or openly or secretly afraid of committing. The funny thing is that the very people that claim they’re too busy will also lament the fact that they can’t meet someone. MAKE time!

76% of women date men that are at least 5 years older than them, while 80% of men date women that are at least 5 years younger than them.

NML says: There aren’t necessarily hard and fast rules on the age gap but there are no surprises here. An older guy may suggest a search for guys that appear to be more responsible, willing to settle etc. A younger woman may suggest vanity and possibly less of a pressure to settle.

53% of singles find a great smile the most attractive feature.

NML says: Well smiling is always better than having a face like a smacked arse.

43% of singles have Googled someone on the internet before a first date.

NML says: With the amount of people meeting via the internet, I’m not surprised. Also with things like blogging, social networking etc, it’s amazing what can turn up about people. That’s why I always say – Be careful. The internet can create a trail about you so if you’re cheating or thieving, you’ll probably be found out.

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