People will tolerate a bad date for this long before making excuses to leave

By Alice Hughes, 72Point via SWNS

People will tolerate an average of 51 minutes of a bad date before making their excuses to leave, according to research.

The study of 2,000 adults also found it takes just 25 minutes to notice a spark, or lack of it.

As for dates that have a bad vibe from the planning stages, a mismatch will typically be canceled 19 hours in advance of the event.

The top excuses given to get out of a date include an emergency at work, unwell relatives and a broken-down car.

While the number one go-to for avoiding a meeting with someone is claiming they don’t feel well.

The research was commissioned by breakdown provider, Britannia Rescue, part of LV= General Insurance, which has joined forces with TV personality Denise Van Outen to set up a "Dateside Rescue Hotline," generating excuses to help people make a swift exit from a boring date.

Denise Van Outen said: “Over the years I’ve certainly been on my fair share of bad dates.

"We all know there’s nothing worse than when you just don’t click with someone, and desperately want to be rescued.

"I had a lot of fun coming up with the excuses for this one and hope the hotline goes a little way to help elevate the pain of bad dates this February.”

The study found 44 percent of those polled have used an excuse to get out of going on a date altogether, while a fifth have left halfway through.

Other reasons included work deadlines, friends or family showing up unannounced and being stuck in traffic.

Of those who have left mid-date, popular tactics to "escape" were friends phoning with a fake emergency, claiming to have a headache and even saying their pet is ill.

It also emerged 23 percent admitted to ghosting someone by stopping all contact with them before a date, while three in 10 have been stood up.

But 58 percent have sat through a meeting despite knowing there was no spark, because of a need to be polite (72 percent), a hope it might get better (37 percent) and feeling uncomfortable saying anything (36 percent).

However, for 48 percent, honesty is the best policy, and they claim to be upfront with the other person about why they are leaving or canceling a date.

Tell-tale signs a date might not be right before even arriving included poor conversation flow (52 percent), struggling for topics to talk about (50 percent) and no sense of humor (48 percent).

While rudeness (48 percent), constantly checking their phone (37 percent) and an awkward atmosphere (36 percent) are behaviors that would cause people to consider making an excuse and leaving a date.

For a meet-up to be considered a success, 68 percent need to feel comfortable, 58 percent require lots of laughter and 57 percent simply look for a spark.

The study, carried out via OnePoll, found 53 percent claim to enjoy dating and would even travel an average of 24 miles for a really good date.

And the top dating venues or activities were found to be a restaurant dinner (38 percent), drinks at a bar (29 percent) and a walk (22 percent).

Henry Topham, at LV= Britannia Rescue, said: “We’re all too familiar with knowing what it feels like when you need to be rescued, and while we’re traditionally in the habit of looking after broken-down vehicles, this February we’re happy to be stepping in to rescue daters from the awful pain of a bad date.

"Does your date not look like their picture, or won’t stop talking about their ex? Don’t despair because our rescue service is here to help.”

TOP 20 EXCUSES PEOPLE HAVE USED TO GET OUT OF A DATE:

1. You're not feeling well
2. A family member is ill
3. An emergency at work
4. You have a headache
5. You forgot about something important you need to do instead
6. Tell them you realize you aren’t ready for a relationship
7. Your car broke down
8. You have a deadline at work
9. Friends or family just showed up for a surprise visit
10. You're stuck in traffic
11. You forgot
12. Your pet is ill
13. You accidentally already ate
14. You can’t find the date venue
15. You've had an allergic reaction
16. You've been arrested
17. Your date looks too similar to a sibling or other relative
18. You’ve just been mugged
19. Your date looks too similar to your ex
20. A pipe has burst at home