Single Indians are becoming more deliberate about their dating choices when it comes to dating someone, prioritizing their needs over compatibility
Research shows that Indians want honesty and don’t play games. Women especially want their space in the early stages of a relationship
It’s the month of all things romance! Are Indians really as romantic as our movies claim? Is chivalry dead? What are some of the most popular romantic gestures for Indians? What does love mean to a modern woman in India? Popular dating app Bumble released its Modern Love Report, which aims to shed light on how Gen Z and Millennials in India define and express love.
As our dating culture continues to evolve with more singles in India, especially women, being more intentional about who they want to date and how, the app’s Modern Love reports on the nuances of modern dating in India Shares insights.
How romantic are Indians?
The app shows that Indians are wholehearted – from big romantic gestures, candlelight dinners to writing love letters and sending romantic texts, Gen Z and Millennials love to romance.
- Writing love letters (63%), candlelight dinners (66%) and grand gestures (51%) are considered most romantic for those dating in India.
- While 42% of unmarried Indians surveyed consider public displays of affection (PDA) on social media and/or in real life as romantic, while 34% consider it a cliché
- 54% of surveyed Indian singles find constant attention romantic while only 26% consider it cliché
Is Chivalry Romantic or Cliché?
2 in 5 (41%) respondents think acts of chivalry are romantic while only 32% consider it cliché.
How do Indians feel about Valentine’s Day?
39% of unmarried Indians feel that Valentine’s Day is overrated and do not feel the need to celebrate it, whether they are dating or not. Even though this year 39% of single Indians want to go on a date on Valentine’s Day. This is more relevant to Millennials (52%) than Gen Z (33%) while more GenZ (35%) than Millennials (28%) claim they don’t want to go on a date on Valentine’s Day this year Are.
What really matters in the early stages of dating?
Research shows that Indians want honesty and don’t play games. Women especially want their space in the early stages of a relationship.
- Honesty (49%) and being friends first (43%) are more important to those dating in India than responding quickly to text messages (26%).
- Nearly 2 out of 5 (39%) single Indians surveyed prefer to have open conversations about their desires and expectations, while 38% want to date someone who is easy to talk to and understands them .
- 35% of respondents also believe that it is important to have shared values and beliefs when dating someone.
- 27% of female respondents claim that it is important that their partner gives them space and not be clingy in the initial stages of dating.
The ‘end goal’ in relationships – what do people want from their dating journeys?
The study found that people have multiple end goals. More than half (53%) of respondents said being together is their ‘end goal’ when dating, while almost half (49%) of respondents said getting married is their ‘end goal’ when looking for a relationship. In fact, 51% of Gen Z respondents claim that living together is the “end goal” of their dating journey. A third (33%) of respondents said that having a child/children is their ‘ultimate goal’ when looking for a relationship.
Indians find intellectual intimacy attractive
Single Indians are becoming more deliberate about their dating choices when it comes to dating someone, prioritizing their needs over compatibility. Intellectual intimacy topped the charts as stimulating conversations are important in measuring compatibility. In fact, physical appearance appears to be less important as 34% of female respondents claimed they prioritize emotional intimacy and intelligence, while only 21% prioritize physical intimacy for serious, long-term relationships.
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age gap love
In India, age gap relationships often raise questions and judgments about the interpersonal power dynamics between a couple from afar. Interestingly, moving into 2023, 38% of single women surveyed admitted that they are comfortable dating someone their age (1-5 years) younger than them. Outdated social norms still dictate how women are under pressure to feel about age in relationships, even in 2023. Nearly 2 in 5 (39%) single women surveyed admitted that dating becomes more difficult as you get older as a woman, more than Gen Z (35%) True for millennial women (44%).
The biggest struggle women face in modern dating
- One-third (36%) of women surveyed said that finding someone with the same level of commitment as them is the biggest struggle for women when dating, followed by sharing the same or similar lifestyle, values, beliefs, and lifestyle. Have to find someone who does. them (34%) and finding someone their family would accept (28%).
- In fact, 40% of single women claim to be influenced by the opinions of their family members and 40% by the opinions of their friends when making decisions about their dating lives.
“People in 2023 want to focus on challenging the status quo and old, outdated dating norms without compromising on their likes, desires and needs. Women are prioritizing emotional intimacy over physical needs, and are open to dating without worrying about age gaps and judgments. Some of these positive changes are encouraging to see that dating cultures in India continue to evolve. We will continue to encourage and support our community to build healthy and equitable relationships,” shares Samarpita Samaddar, India Communications Director, Bumble.
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