I recently had the pleasure of attending an introduction launch event to Australia’s number 1 dating App ZOOSK, and it blew my mind listening to the insights and data that special guest Dr. Mike Dow shared with us about how we date these days.
Australia and the US may be separated by 15,175kms of ocean, but when it comes to dating, the data shows we are closer than you may think. Zoosk,one of the world’s leading online dating platforms, surveyed approximately 1,000 Aussies and 5,000 Americans to find out the information singles want to know about the person they are dating.
Despite curiosity levels surrounding past relationships, over half of the Aussie singles surveyed actually prefer to never find out how many sexual partners their date has had previously. And in the US this increases to almost two thirds of singles who would also prefer not to know.
While respondents wanted to be kept in the dark about some information, there are some facts they do want to know up front. Zoosk asked its singles whether it was important to reveal if they are seeing other people on a first date, 73 per cent of Aussies and 68 per cent of Americans said yes.
“Trust is one of the most important foundations for any relationship. Its significance is heightened even further when it comes to the world of online dating. Singles looking for someone to connect with want reassurance that the person they are chatting with is who they say they are,” said Dr Mike Dow,a licensed couples therapist, psychologist and acclaimed author.
“But at the same time, people still want a little bit of mystery in the early courting stages. Too much information can kill the romance. It is a fine balance, like most things in life.”
Zoosk’s survey found what information singles from the two nations want disclosed in the early stages of dating:
- ● Around a third of Aussies and Americans said it’s important to reveal unusual sexual information (STDs, virgin status, fetishes etc) during initial conversations on Zoosk
- ● 28 per cent of Aussies and 24 per cent of Americans surveyed never want to know if their partner had cheated in a previous relationship
- ● Over half of Zoosk singles surveyed (52 per cent Aussies, 61 per cent Americans) agree that any legal issues or arrest records should be revealed on or immediately after the first date
- ● The vast majority of Aussies (76 per cent) and Americans (81 per cent) believe discussion about children need to occur within the first few weeks of dating or on the first date
- ● A mere 3 per cent of Aussies and Americans believe you should discuss marriage up front, compared to over half from both countries stating that the subject should be broached only after six months of dating
- ● It appears that having a job is important to most singles, with over 60 per cent of Aussies and Americans wanting to know up front if their potential suitor is unemployed
- ● Likewise if they are divorced or going through a divorce, 42 per cent of Aussies and 67 per cent of Americans want to know this before the first date
- ● When it comes to having sex for the first time,13 per cent of Aussies find it acceptable to do so on the first date, while less than 9 per cent of Americans are as open to the idea
These findings suggest that the singles looking for a partner online are genuine and open to disclosing important information about themselves in order to establish trust with their matches.
Dr. Dow added; “When creating online dating profiles and communicating with potential partners, it is crucial to be true to yourself. The data from Zoosk’s latest survey is a reminder of just how important it is to be open and honest with people you are dating about your situation and expectations. When laying the foundations for any relationship, it helps to ensure you are both on the same page so you can start building trust from day one.”
www.zoosk.com
by Arrnott Olssen
Editor Rogue Homme
