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Top Six Reasons For Turning Down Your First Date

April 19, 2021
Top Six Reasons For Turning Down Your First Date

When it comes to dating, everyone has different preferences and boundaries. And while online dating offers more opportunities for meeting people than ever before, the decision of whether or not to take a chance on that first date is ultimately up to you.

But what makes someone turn down an offer for a first date? We recently conducted an online survey asking our participants why they decided against going out with someone from their pool of matches.

Here are the top six reasons people gave us for turning down a first date.

Why Turn Down A First Date?

1. Smoking

76% of singles in the survey cited smoking as a major factor when deciding whether or not to accept a first date invitation from someone. This goes to show that having an unhealthy habit like smoking can be very off-putting for potential romantic partners. Smoking cigarettes produces an unpleasant smell and leaves yellow stains on teeth, which can be major turn-offs for many people.

2. Age

37% of respondents said that they would not agree to a first date with someone older than them. This is likely due to the fact that many people feel uncomfortable dating someone with more life experience and maturity than they possess.

3. Children

Lots of people said they don't want to go on a first date with someone who has children. 41% of people said this is why they wouldn't want to go on the date. Many said that they aren't in a position to be a caretaker or provide resources for someone else's children, and it would make the relationship too complicated.

4. Drugs

41% of people surveyed cited drugs as the primary reason for turning down a first date. This is likely due to the stigma attached to drug use or abuse, which can make potential partners wary of entering into a relationship before trust has been established. Additionally, recreational drug use can be perceived as a sign of recklessness, immaturity, and lack of respect for one’s own body. It is important to note, however, that the type of drug use may come into play when considering whether or not a first date should be declined. For example, if an individual only uses drugs occasionally and responsibly, it would likely have less of an impact on the outcome than if they regularly indulged.

5. Previous dating experience

A significant 63% of those surveyed said they would not go on a first date with someone who had previously been out on dates with their friends. This could be due to a fear of being compared or contrasted to others, feeling that the other person may still be emotionally attached to their former partners, or simply not being comfortable with the idea of the other person being out with their friends.

6. Work Colleagues

32% said they would turn down a first date with a work colleague, citing concerns about awkwardness and potential conflict of interest. Even if the colleague is someone they are attracted to, participants felt it could be risky to get involved romantically with someone from work. The awkwardness of seeing each other around the office or having to work together on projects after the date ended also seemed to be a big concern for survey participants.

Final Thoughts

It is clear that there are a variety of reasons why people may turn down an invitation for a first date. While some factors, such as drug use or previous dating experience, can be more easily addressed than others like work colleagues, it is important to consider all aspects when planning the perfect evening out with someone new.

Ultimately, being aware of these potential issues and addressing them in advance will help ensure that everyone involved has an enjoyable and successful time on their first date together.

Lauren Edwards-Fowle
Lauren Edwards-Fowle
Lauren is a freelance writer passionate about how we develop rewarding experiences, and overcoming the barriers we face to living our best lives. Lauren writes regularly about the modern world of dating, relationships, parenthood, and social dynamics.