Study finds how long your first date should be

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

ARE YOU PLANNING A FIRST DATE? WELL, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN ESCAPE ROUTE.

MORE THAN FOUR IN FIVE AMERICANS BELIEVE DINNER DATES ARE THE HARDEST TO GET AWAY FROM, ESPECIALLY IF IT ISN’T GOING WELL.

ACCORDING TO A SURVEY OF 2,000 ACTIVELY DATING AMERICANS OVER THE AGE OF 21, TOP FLEE-FRIENDLY FIRST DATE OPTIONS INCLUDE CASUAL DRINKS (50%), COFFEE (43%) AND GOING TO A MARKET OR PICNIC (34%).

ALMOST ONE-THIRD (31%) FEEL THE LEAST COMFORTABLE PART ABOUT GOING ON A FIRST DATE IS THE NERVES.

CONDUCTED BY ONEPOLL ON BEHALF OF CANADA DRY, RESULTS ALSO REVEALED THAT WHILE 57% SIP ON THEIR FAVORITE DRINK TO DO AWAY WITH THAT NERVOUS FEELING, ALMOST HALF (46%) FIND DRINKING TOO MUCH ON A FIRST DATE TO BE A TURN OFF.

IN FACT, IF THEIR DATE DRANK TOO MUCH, RESPONDENTS SAY THEY WOULD SPEAK UP AND ADDRESS IT DURING THE DATE (32%), SIMPLY END THE DATE (28%) OR EVEN WRITE OFF A SECOND DATE ENTIRELY (15%).

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 21+ Americans who are actively dating was commissioned by Canada Dry between June 20 and June 28, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).