Match-making sites ‘making blind dating history’

Match-making sites ‘making blind dating history’

    Only three per cent of young people from Britain have used blind dating to meet a potential partner in the last five years, with most preferring more modern methods like online matchmaking, it has been revealed. While 29% of those over 55 have been on a blind date, just three per cent of those aged between 18 and 24 have experienced a date with someone they knew next-to-nothing about.
    The report found that 62% of singles now research their dates online — before they meet them — using search engines and social networking sites.
    Among the more computer savvy 18-24-year-olds, the percentage of those who investigate their date prior to meeting up is as high as 71.
    Search engines are used by 30% of those contemplating a first date, while 20% check out a partner’s microblogging site.
    Networking sites are a major source of information with a massive 71% of people suffering pre-date doubts. And 36% use dating websites to do the research for them.
    One reason for this seems to be a quest for an increasingly ‘perfect’ partner, with people assessing a date’s compatibility, humour, values and intelligence as well as the more obvious level of attractiveness before agreeing to that all-important first date.
    “Technology has changed the way we date in many important ways. With so much information about potential partners right at our finger tips, whether it’s on our online dating profiles or another social network, it’s understandable that we don’t want to leave who we date up to chance,” Kate Taylor, a relationship expert said.
    “As we wave goodbye to the blind date, it’s clear that people are investing their time more carefully in picking a partner, and that researching a date online before you meet up so you feel comfortable that the conversation won’t dry up is a refreshing addition to modern dating,” she added.