80% of Americans Prefer Going on a One-on-One First Date

This is an exclusive study conducted by DatingAdvice.com, which surveyed respondents over the course of three weeks to reflect an accurate representation of the U.S. population.

First dates can be intimidating, which is why dating apps like Grouper have started popping up to help assist shy daters with the process.

However, according to DatingAdvice.com’s latest study, the majority of Americans still prefer the standard one-on-one first date. In fact, eight in 10 said so.

Among the most likely demographics to choose a one-on-one first date over a group first date was gay respondents, men and African-Americans.

At 93 percent, homosexuals had the highest response.

Men seemed less interested in tinkering with the mechanics of dating, as they were 21 percent more likely than women to prefer a private evening for two.

In terms of ethnicity, one-on-one dating was most popular with African-Americans at 88 percent.

“Eight in 10 Americans

prefer a one-on-one first date.”

DatingAdvice.com expert Gina Stewart said first dates are best for just two people because men and women need to get to know their date on their own before others have the chance to weigh in.

“People’s personalities change from one-on-one settings to groups,” she said. “You get more direct information about a person and their interaction with you as an indication of how things are going on a one-on-one date, which is why most people prefer it over a group.”

On the flip side, the results show Asian-Americans, older men and women and middle-income wage earners are the least likely groups to choose a first date just for two.

Less than one in four Asian men and women answered in the affirmative versus about four in five of their Caucasian and Hispanic counterparts.

Those aged 65 and older had a 12% lower likelihood of picking a two-person first date than those aged 25 to 34.

Only 74 percent of respondents earning an annual salary between $50,000 and $74,999 went with the traditional one-on-one romantic outing, but a significant 86 percent of respondents making $25,000 to $49,999 a year did so.

The study surveyed 1,080 respondents over the course of three weeks, balancing responses by age, gender, income, race, sexuality and other factors in order to accurately represent the U.S. population. The study has a margin of error of +/- 2.8%.

By gender:

• Male: 88%
• Female: 73%

By sexuality:

• Straight: 80%
• Gay: 93%

By marital status:

• Single, Never Married: 82%
• Married: 79%
• Divorced: 86%

By age:

• 18 to 24: 79%
• 25 to 34: 85%
• 35 to 44: 82%
• 45 to 54: 81%
• 54 to 64: 79%
• 65 and older: 76%

By race:

• White: 79%
• African-American: 88%
• Hispanic: 82%
• Asian: 74%

By income:

• Under $25,000: 84%
• $25,000 to $49,999: 86%
• $50,000 to $74,999: 74%
• $75,000 to $99,999: 81%
• $100,000 to $124,999: 78%
• $125,000 or higher: 81%

By region:

• Northeast: 84%
• Midwest: 79%
• South: 81%
• West: 78%

Visit DatingAdvice.com/Studies for more research on dating and relationship topics.