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.
When it comes to getting to know one another on a first date, how much is too much to share, especially in regards to breakups and exes?
In the latest DatingAdvice.com study, we found more than three in five Americans would not talk about their past relationships on a first date.
Hispanics stood out as the group most likely to avoid this topic, with 75 percent opposing the idea compared to 61 percent of Asians.
Younger Americans and low-wage income earners also were hesitant to bring up this subject when on a first date.
Respondents aged 18 to 24 were almost twice as likely to stay away from the ex talk than respondents aged 25 to 34.
In terms of salary, almost seven in 10 of those earning less than $25,000 a year don’t include past relationships as part of their first date conversations versus less than five in 10 of those earning between $100,000 and $124,999 a year.
“Sixty-four percent wouldn’t talk
about past relationships on a first date.”
DatingAdvice.com women’s dating expert, Rachel Dack, said she thinks the differences in response by gender, race, marital status, age and other factors provide important insight about first date behavior and the varying levels of comfort in getting to know someone new.
“As a whole, it is safe to say we are making first dates more about connecting with a potential partner in the present as opposed to dishing out our dirty laundry and relationship past too soon,” she said. “This is really good news for the health of our relationships because we are more focused on building a connection before opening up about exes, past relationships, etc.”
On the flip side, women and divorcees were among the least likely groups to stay away from this subject matter.
Fifty-five percent of women said they will not talk about exes, breakups and the like during a first romantic outing, but 63 percent of men said they will not.
Singles had a 14 percent higher likelihood of ruling out this as a first date topic than divorcees.
Regionally, the differences were a bit harder to spot.
At 66 percent, those living in Northern states were one percentage point ahead of those living in Southern states, two percentage points ahead of those living in Western states and four percentage points ahead of those living in Midwestern states.
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%.
The Breakdown:
