The last few years have been a whirlwind in general, and certainly in dating. Major events have impacted how singles feel and act, from COVID to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Here are top eight dating trends of 2022, including virtual and inflation-conscious dating.
Saving time and money with Zoom
During the worst of the pandemic, some people opted only for virtual dates — say, hopping on Zoom or chatting on the phone with a dating app match. This year was no different, with virtual dating still a dominant trend. As dating coach and eharmony relationship expert Laurel House told Mashable back in June, “people are much more protective…of their time” now.
Virtual dates make first dates even lower stakes. Not only do they save time and money (commuting, food and drinks), but it serves daters as a gauge over whether they actually want to meet someone in person. Especially given inflation, they’re not going anywhere.
Finding love amid inflation
Cost hikes hit the dating scene in 2022, just as they impact every other aspect of our lives. The top three stressors for singles today are finance-related according to Singles in America, an annual study of over 5,000 single people in the U.S. conducted by Match. Thirty-nine percent are most stressed about the economy; 37 percent about their long-term financial future; and 36 percent on the effects of inflation.
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Other data reveals much of the same. According to eharmony’s end-of-year and 2023 dating trends, 47 percent have passed on a date due to their personal financial situation. Those numbers jump to 62 percent of millennials and 64 percent of Gen Z respondents, the youngest of daters. Eharmony interviewed a nationally representative sample of over 900 single U.S.-based adults 18 and older.
It’s clear that as we move into 2023, dating costs are at the top of some people’s minds. In data collected by OkCupid this year, most — 54 percent of respondents — said they want to spend $50 or less on their first date. Bumble predicts that next year, “cash candid dating” — increased transparency over finances in the early stages of dating — will be all the rage.
Politics more important than ever
Inflation isn’t the only macro news we’re seeing reverberations in dating. Political polarization in the U.S. has increased in the last few years, and it’s no doubt affected how singles interact. …….