Even though dating in the modern digital age has become synonymous with dating apps (and the special kind of chaos they unleash), it seems people are still meeting each other offline and in person. We hear on a regular basis that you can’t meet anyone in person any more and that the world of dating has completely changed, and while this might be partially true, a new study has found that dating isn’t happening exclusively online.

A recent study by Thortful, a greetings card platform, explored how people in the UK met their significant others, the factors they believe contribute to successful relationships and their attitudes towards technology and dating.

In an era dominated by technology, with millions of users signed up to dating apps around the world, more people are turning to dating apps to meet their prospective partners. But Thortful’s data shows that 53% of British people surveyed met their partners in person – either at school, university, work or social events. And almost three in five (57%) respondents aged between 18 and 25 said that they met their partners as friends and then progressed into a romantic relationship.

Dating apps such as Tinder, Hinge and Bumble have become increasingly popular, especially since the pandemic. However, Thortful found that only 11% of Brits successfully met their partner through online platforms, while 7% met their partners by being set up on a date. In fact, dating apps are particularly popular among those aged between 45 and 54. Despite the spike in their popularity and how much dating apps have become embedded in popular culture, traditional ways of meeting partners seem to be the most common in the UK.

In addition to asking how people met their partners, Thortful also asked them to share what they believe makes their relationships strong and healthy. The majority (60%) of UK respondents cited trust and honesty as the key factors for a healthy relationship.

For most people in the UK, sharing similar values, open communication (44%) and mutual respect (43%) are considered the main principles for maintaining long and healthy relationships.

However, younger respondents (aged 18 to 24) placed more emphasis on physical attraction, with 43% considering it vital for a long-lasting relationship, the highest among all age groups.

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