Liz Biro| The Indianapolis Star
That Valentine’s Day when he handed me Russell Stover chocolates, not even in a heart-shaped box, wrapped in the plastic bag from the grocery store where he bought them?
Epic, epic, epic fail of epic proportions.
Still, I smiled and then later happily shared the candy with him on a fuzzy blanket by the fire.
Translation: Being a couple on Valentine’s Day is cake. Dating any time of year is often crap, especially when you’re wondering if that second date will ever happen.
Match.com’s latestSingles in Americasurvey asked 5,504 people without partners, ages 18 to 70-plus, what they think guarantees a second date. As you might suspect, much depends on food and drink. Skip those two things and you’re 107%less likely to see your future whatever ever again.
1. Eat sushi
Famous French gastronome Brillat-Savarin used to tell this story about how the Sultan Saladin decided to see if his holy men were really all that holy. He let two fasting dervishes hang at his palace, fed them a ton of the most luscious food and put them in the company of gorgeous harem women. The dervishes ate like mad, even gained weight, but took no interest in the ladies — until fish landed on the menu. Yep, eating sushi on the first date ups your chances for a second date by 170%.
2. But then there’s this
Almost 75%of singles prefer American cuisine on a first dinner date. So does that mean cheeseburger sushi? We'reconfused.
3. Yes, get the second martini
Sipping co*cktails ups second-date odds by 137%. It also increases bad-first-date survival odds by a bazillion-fold, according to ourpersonal findings. Psst: The survey says after-dinner drinks give you a 59%greater chance of getting a second date.
4. Talk politics for exactly 2.5 hours
A date that lasts 2½ hours gives you the best chance at getting a second date. Just talking politics increases second date odds by 91%. Forty-one percent of women want you to know about the economy. Hillary Clinton supporters want wine and a commitment. Trump supporters like beer and talking about their exes. Take a Republican out for Middle Eastern food, and you increase the odds of a second date by 148%. Over the course of your discussion, don’t forget to throw in key buzzwords to cinch the second date. “Netflix,” “chill,” “ghost” and “bae” are terms that lead to date No. 2. “On fleek” is certain to get you nowhere.
5. Spend, spend, spend
Dining at an expensive restaurant makes you 50%more likely to get a second date.
6. Don’t delay, text today
Men will wait an average of 11.25 days for a call back before calling it quits. Women will wait seven days. When you do text after date one, include a “haha” or “LOL.” Both increase your odds for a second date by 255%.
OK, you landed the second date. Now what?What should you do? Something on a Saturday night that costs more than the first date. Sixty percent of singles prefer an evening date. Thirty-nine percent think Saturday is the best day. Men think a first date should cost about $68, a second-date around $77; women think $58 sounds about right for a first date, $64 for a second date.
Follow Liz Biro on Twitter: @lizbiro
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