Alte Friedman- 1 in 6 (17%) Brits and a third (32%) of millennials admit to staying in an unhappy relationship during special occasions because it would be awkward to break up
- A third of Brits are single (29%) – twice as likely to consider dating an ex’s relative (35%) or a friend’s ex (29%) than to ask out a colleague at work (15%)
- A fifth of millennials (21%) say that good sex is crucial for a partner – three-quarters (76%) believe a relationship couldn’t survive without a healthy sex life
- Two out of five (42%) admit they worry about their partner cheating on them – a tenth (11%) admit they have searched through their other half’s phone without their consent
- Try the Compatibility Calculator here
WEDNESDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2019 – LONDON, UK – A host of Brits are in unhappy relationships and are reluctant to break up out of sheer awkwardness, according to new research released today.
VoucherCodes.co.uk, the leading savings site, surveyed over 2,000 people across the country and discovered one in six Brits (17%) have admitted to staying in an unhappy relationship through Valentine’s Day in order to avoid a difficult breakup. However, it has been discovered that patience soon runs out with two out of five (42%) splitting with their partner by the end of February.
Millennials are particularly guilty of staying in broken relationships for the purpose of avoiding awkward timing. A third admit they have stayed with someone because it was either Valentine’s Day (32%), their birthday (32%) or they had a holiday booked with their partner (33%).
Finding a date
According to figures released today, as many as a third of Brits (29%) are single and ready to mingle. Though two-thirds (68%) believe the rise of social media means it is now harder to find a partner organically, we are still most comfortable picking up a date in person – with a third (31%) saying they search for love in bars and pubs, and one-fifth (20%) heading to nightclubs in the hope of finding a date. However, dating apps are an ever-growing choice for singles on the hunt for a partner, a fifth (21%) are turning to apps like Tinder, Bumble or Hinge, and one in six (15%) have even admitted that they slide into a stranger’s DMs on social media.
It’s interesting to see where Brits are comfortable, or indeed uncomfortable, looking to find a partner. It has been discovered that people are twice as likely to consider dating an ex’s relative (35%) or a friend’s ex (29%) than to ask out a colleague at work (15%).
So, what are the qualities that we’re looking for in a date? Almost half of us say that we want someone who is kind and thoughtful (45%), as well as sharing our sense of humour (45%). Meanwhile, a third (37%) believe loyalty is the most important characteristic and a quarter (26%) look for chemistry compared to just a tenth (12%) who think looks can make or break a potential partner. A whopping four out of five people (79%) believe that an emotional connection is more important than a physical connection and just two out of five (41%) say they would go off someone if they gained lots of weight.
The biggest deal breakers when dating have been identified with half saying that arrogance (49%) and bad manners (47%) are complete turn-offs. A third (32%) say they wouldn’t date someone who smokes and a tenth (11%) wouldn’t continue seeing someone if they found out they were vegan. However, millennials are clearly looking for something more physical from their relationships. A fifth (21%) say that good sex is crucial for a couple, with three-quarters (76%) saying a relationship couldn’t survive without a healthy sex life.
Surviving a relationship
If there’s anything more challenging than finding a date, it’s keeping a relationship alive! The average person in the UK thinks that a relationship loses its spark within 18 months of being together, while a quarter (27%) believe it takes less than a year for it to fizzle out.
But it’s not all doom and gloom! The research has also highlighted the ingredients for a long-lasting and happy relationship. Three-quarters (75%) believe that you should always confess to any bad behaviour in a relationship, and almost half (45%) believe a bit of harmless flirting is fine. Indeed, the green-eyed monster appears not to be a threat to relationships, with two-thirds (67%) saying they are happy for a partner to remain friends with an ex.
So many of us are regular users of social media and this is having a big impact on our relationships. Almost three-quarters (72%) say that social media causes more arguments in their relationship than anything else and two-thirds (69%) have even said they think social media causes more people to cheat in a relationship. As many as two out of five people (42%) admit they worry about their partner cheating on them, leading a tenth (11%) to admit they have searched through their other half’s phone without their consent.
Anita Naik, Lifestyle Editor at VoucherCodes.co.uk, said: “The research has unveiled the UK’s deal makers and breakers for relationships as millennials show their true colours now that the Valentine’s Day frenzy has ended, with a host of couples breaking up and looking for love elsewhere.
“We invite you to put your relationship to the test by trying our Compatibility Calculator. The fun quiz gives you the opportunity to get your hands on a range of bespoke discounts and deals for romantic treats including flowers, fragrances and holidays depending on how you truly feel about your partner.”
