Even though dating is a chaotic world to navigate at the best of times, it’s still fun and exciting when you finally get past the talking stage on a dating app and line up a real-life date. There are the nerves, the anticipation and the excitement of meeting someone new. However, going on a date also involves the unwritten rules of relationships – which seem to be constantly changing. Who pays for the date? When is it okay to excuse yourself and leave if you aren’t feeling the date? How long are you supposed to leave things before you message them for a follow-up date?

In Tinder’s ‘Green Flags Study’, the dating app delved into all these questions to find out what’s happening amongst young singles in a post-pandemic world. Unsurprisingly, nearly all of the participating men (91%) and women (94%) agree that dating is now more difficult.

Assumptions also play a big role in how men and women approach dating, especially around casual versus long-term dating. 65% of women believe that men are only looking for casual flings when, in reality, the percentage is less than half of that (29%).

The study also found that young singles were socially progressive but traditional in the values when it came to love and romance. Despite the majority of both men (78%) and women (84%) saying they want equal partnership, this progressively traditional approach to dating has left some men unsure how to proceed. For example, women don’t need men to pay for them on dates but that doesn’t mean that women want to pick up the tab.

Interestingly, one in three men (37%) said they wouldn’t label themselves as a feminist, but 50% of women said they would date someone who identifies as one. Women still said they appreciated chivalrous gestures though – but not in the way chivalry has typically been understood.

It’s not about giving up your seat or opening the door for a woman but about spending quality time together and giving your date your undivided attention. 55% of women prefer phones being put away and going screen-free on dates and 59% of women found that a man making sure she got home safely after a date to be a chivalrous act.

So, where do we go from here? Well, Tinder’s global relationships insight expert, Paul Brunson, has some green flag dating tips on developing meaningful and genuine connections:

1) Respect is all around: “From the moment the connection is made to your real-life date and beyond, observe how they interact and treat others. From the messages they send to how they engage with their mum, respect counts heaps.”

2) Bring yourself: “Keep it real from the beginning. From photo verified dating profiles to embracing what makes them, them (including their quirks) – look for what makes this person unique.”

3) Two ears, one mouth: “Developing a connection is about sharing communication. Be actively aware of how much they’re listening and whether they’re taking the time to get to know you, rather than them ‘stealing the mic’.”

4) Who are they really: “There’s a lot to be said about putting your cards on the table and vice versa. From life goals, to financial set up to friendship circles – can they articulate clearly where they are in their life? And most importantly, does that fit with what you want?”

5) Your gut never lies: “Above all else, dating comes back to one thing: your gut. No ‘green flag’ can overshadow this. If it’s not happening, it’s not happening. Move on and continue to enjoy your dating journey.”

Images: Getty; Tinder