Some things are better with two people (tandem bikes, for example); but some, it seems, are just as good with one. That is the theory at least for Britain’s singletons. While some say that being single is an object of pity; a survey of 2,000 singles by the leading supplier of candle-making ingredients, Supplies for Candles, found that a significant number are embracing their status – and don’t see why the simple matter of not having a boyfriend or girlfriend should stop them enjoying a fruitful dating life!
The concept of ‘masturdating’ – enjoying dating activities solo – is on the rise, and rightly so. Why should smug couples have all the fun of a romantic candlelit dinner, or enjoying a pampering bubble bath? Supplies for Candles were determined to find out where Britain’s ‘solo daters’ reside – the ones who, in the absence of a partner, decide to go on dates on their own – and the results were rather interesting.
The survey found that over a third of single Brits – 38.9%, to be exact – enjoy self dating from time to time (although 15.4% of those would rather do this in the comfort and privacy of their own home…) And it seems women are more confident about dating solo; 41% of them are happy to do so, compared with 36.8% of men. However, men are more open about dating alone, with 24.9% of them happy to go out and do it, compared to 22.1% of women who would rather just do it in the comfort of their own home.
Across the UK, the biggest solo daters are in the East Midlands, with nearly half of singletons there admitting that, in the absence of a partner, arrange date nights for themselves. That’s a lot of people lighting a few candles, drawing the curtains, putting on some soft music and treating themselves to an M&S meal for one, or a box-set on Netflix. The ones least likely to date solo are the Northern Irish and the Scots. Maybe it’s just too cold up there to do things on your own, and you really want someone to snuggle up with…
To find out how your region compares, check out the infographic below:
The types of solo dates Brits are enjoying the most included taking a long walk, relaxing in a candlelit bath, going for a drink in a bar, cooking and enjoying a three course meal, watching the sun set or rise, going stargazing, and, lastly, going to the cinema – perhaps this is the least popular because most people can now watch films at home on streaming channels, or worry about how they’ll be perceived if they have no-one to share their popcorn with!
When it comes to what men and women prefer, blokes would rather go on a bracing walk on their own, while women are partial to a candlelit bath.
Interestingly, it was also found that over two thirds of single Brits consider themselves to be introverts, and happy in their own company. And many of them would be equally happy to go away on holiday by themselves. The majority would be up for going anywhere, for any length of time, while 16.7% would just do a short break or weekend away.
