Want to up your dating game in 2020? Don't start chats with ‘hey’, go for long walks on the beach

January is the most popular time to meet singles, according to dating experts. But with a new year comes a whole slew of new dating trends to be wary of before jumping back on the market like snowmanning – when a new flirtation disappears once the Christmas period is over.
To help singles navigate these potentially choppy waters, dating app OkCupid examined some of 2019’s biggest dating trends and offered some practical advice on how users could up their dating game in 2020.

Starting the Conversation

According to data culled from over 2000 respondents, women on the app were 2.5 times more likely than men to garner a response if they initiated the conversation. Timing also played a key factor. Sunday was the most successful day to plan dates for the week while 5 pm was the most popular time of day on the app.

However users were cautioned not to begin conversations with only ‘Hey’ as this greeting had an 84% chance of being completely ignored. Instead, the app recommended that users keep their first message around 140 characters and try to engage on a specific photo or question, such as ‘Pizza is the best food out there’.

Men Are More Traditionally Romantic

Data found that men were more traditionally romantic when compared to women. A staggering 77% of men believed they were the most romantic person they knew compared to 65% women on the app. Men were also more likely to plan a first date on Valentine’s Day, 65% compared to 50% of women.

When it came to traditional ideas of romance, 93% of men thought long walks on the beach were romantic (compared to 91% of women) while 70% of men and 55% women said they believed romancing in the woods was far more romantic than snuggling in Paris.

When asked about the best way to show their partner they care, 43% of men chose touch by giving a hug, massage or kiss, 39% of men mentioned doing something nice, 15% of men would tell their partners how much they appreciate them, and only 4% of men preferred to give gifts like flowers, jewellery or a new gadget.

Men were also more likely to believe in second chances when it came to romantic relationships. 48% felt that it may work out in another time or place while women were more practical about renewing an old relationship. 47% said that it would depend on the relationship.