The results are in from Match.com’s LoveGeist report and it shows some interesting results when it comes to post-date textiquette.
Relationships on Female First
The singles of Britain spend an average 14 and a half minutes composing a post-date text and incredibly, it’s the men who worry the most about it men 60 per cent more likely to get a mate to check their text before they send it.
Women are putting all the burdens on the men this year as 52 per cent of women surveyed said it was up to their date to send the first text, with only 16 per cent saying they should be the ones to take the initiative.
Just under a third of Brits said they would be put off by someone based on a post-date text. The biggest turn off was voted to be poor spelling, followed by abbreviations such as ‘gr8’ and ‘l8r’.
Using acronyms such as LOL and LMAO were also voted to be a massive turn off and if you’re one for sending double texts when you don’t get an instant reply then you’ll be putting yourself at risk of losing out on a second date.
The LoveGeist, which has been a year on year survey to track the nation’s attitudes towards relationships since 2009, also found that using emoticons could slash your chances of a second date.
Match.com’s resident relationship expert, Kate Taylor, said, “In recent years the way we use technology to communicate after a date has made the post-date follow-up more important than ever.
“Not only do you now need to perform well on the date itself, if your follow-up message isn’t up to scratch, then you might be out of contention for a second meeting.
“Last year’s LoveGeist discovered that one of the best-known rules of modern dating, waiting three days before getting back in touch after a date, was a thing of the past, and this year’s report has again shown how technology is changing how we connect and date.
“The advent of online dating, email and texting has meant that written communication is now more important than ever in impressing a potential partner, which is great news for those fluent in the language of love.”
Here are some to tips from Kate on how to send the right message after a date:
Texts should be light-hearted and tantalising
Don’t use them for outpourings of emotion, whether positive or negative. Instead, regard them as the electronic equivalent of a flirty water-cooler moment. A cute little way to say, “great to meet you” and not much more.
Be mysterious
Don’t feel obliged to answer every text. In fact, it’s better if you don’t, as they will likely just come running back for more.
Don’t treat texts like your Facebook status
Sending texts and picture texts of all the fun stuff you’re doing all the time won’t make you look busy and popular, it’ll make you look like you’re thinking of messages you can send ALL THE TIME, even when you’re out doing fun stuff. That’s not healthy.
Take it one text at a time
Don’t worry if you don’t get a reply straight away! And never send a “Did you get my message?” text. They got it, so forget you sent it and get on with your day.
Keep it humorous
There’s no need to roll-out the knock-knock jokes, but a mushy message written in a funny way is 100 times more appealing than one written seriously. And it would be less embarrassing if they were to show it to their friends.
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