Dating statistics: Snapshot of a Boston single
We asked three of the biggest dating sites--Match.com, OkCupid, and HowAboutWe--to scour their online profiles and crunch the numbers on Boston-area daters. The info they provided adds up to an interesting picture of single life in and around the Hub. Here’s what they told us.
HOWABOUTWE
The site, whose daters’ average age is 33, provided the following data:
Bostonians’ favorite spots for a first date
1 Boston Common
2 Institute of Contemporary Art
3 Museum of Science
4 Cambridge Brewing Co.
5 Drink
Some of the most popular date dishes among local HowAboutWe users include:
>> Valencia paella at TORO
>> Fried pickles and dirty martinis at LUCKY’S LOUNGE
>> Dessert and wine pairing at LE PATISSIER AT TROQUET
>> Mussels at CENTRAL KITCHEN
>> East vs. West Coast oysters at UNION BAR AND GRILLE
Boston-area singles are liberal.
The majority of daters in the 20 towns with the most HowAboutWe daters in the region are liberal leaning. Brockton and Manchester, New Hampshire, are the exceptions, with politically conservative daters in the majority.
What they do
Dates involving beer, wine, and cocktails are almost 20 PERCENT more popular in the Boston area than elsewhere.
Where they go
Somerville’s DAVIS SQUARE is the most popular neighborhood for date night.
***
MATCH
This site offered these data on its Boston-area singles (25 percent of its daters are younger than 30; 48.5 percent are between the ages of 30 and 49; 26.5 percent are 50 plus):
> Male and female daters in Boston have somewhat similar opinions on what’s important in a romantic partner.
Men want someone who
91% Treats me with respect
90% I can trust and confide in
81% Is comfortable communicating his/her wants, needs, and desires
Women want someone who
99% Treats me with respect
99% I can trust and confide in
94% Has a sense of humor and can make me laugh
> If they don’t want a second date, men and women signal that feeling similarly.
Men say they would
56% Politely explain that they aren’t interested as they say good night
17% Be evasive about their availability
18% Write an e-mail or a text message.
Women say they would
44% Politely explain that they aren’t interested as they say good night
33% Be evasive about their availability
24% Ignore calls, voice messages, and e-mail
>What the sexes say about paying for a first date
Men
39% No hard-and-fast rule; could be either person, depending on the situation
30% Man should pay, no matter who initiated the date
9% Should split the bill
Women
52% No hard-and-fast rule; could be either person, depending on the situation
10% Man should pay, no matter who initiated the date
16% Should split the bill
> Men and women have different ideas on how long you should wait before having sex with a new partner.
Men
36% When the other person is ready
12% Typically have sex on the first date
11% After three dates
Women
14% When the other person is ready
36% When we agree to an exclusive relationship
12% After three dates
TOP DEAL BREAKERS
Boston singles don’t want to date anyone who is: Lazy, disheveled or unclean in appearance, or too needy.
***
OKCUPID
This site, whose users’ average age is 29, provided this info on its local daters:
FEMALE STUDENTS make up 19 PERCENT of OkCupid’s Boston singles, while MALE STUDENTS constitute 14 PERCENT.
> When it comes to education
Men
57% 4-year college degree
16% master’s degree
Women
56% 4-year college degree
26% master’s degree
> Where the daters work
Men
13% science/tech/engineering
11% computer hardware/software
9% sales/marketing
Women
17% education
14% medicine/health
6% writing/music/art
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