Old Fashioned Romance Still Coming Up Trumps In The Digital Age

A new survey by TeleCafe has revealed that over half (52%) of under 30s are looking for a serious relationship and that they are turning to technology in the search for love.

Attitudes towards dating and technology were examined in the survey of 202 Australian singles and couples in December 2009.

The survey sought to find out how attitudes towards dating via technology are changing, where people are looking for love and if the proliferation of modern dating methods like phone, online and speed dating are leading a search for love or merely lust.

Here is a snapshot of some of the very interesting findings:

• 53% had tried phone and/or internet dating as a tool for meeting potential partners
• 52% were looking for a serious relationship (including marriage)
• 43% of people who had tried modern dating (phone, internet or speed dating) had started a  relationship with someone they met
• 45% of relationships where people met through modern dating lasted for over 12 months
• 30% rated kindness as the number one trait they were looking for in a partner.
• 32% described dating as “somewhat stressful”
• 45% said that phone and/or internet dating was “less stressful” than traditional dating

When asked about attitudes towards modern dating responses included: “Love it, risk free”, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained. The world is full of interesting people” and “I like being able to talk to someone and get to know whether our personalities will match before having to meet them”.

The survey shows that good old fashioned romance will never go out of style. It’s great to see open minded attitudes towards using technology to meet new people – technology has become an integral factor in every other area of our life so why not dating!

About Bridget Holland, General Manager of TeleCafe

What’s a woman who’s been happily married for the last five years doing giving singles advice about dating?

I used to head up one of the most well known internet dating sites and now I’ve been running TeleCafe for over two years. TeleCafe is Australia’s biggest phone chat forum – in a ‘normal’ week we take in excess of 15, 000 calls!

Dating and relationships are what I do best. But it’s not just my work background – it’s also the fifteen plus years it took me personally to find the right man!

I’ve certainly had my share of experiences, and now spend lots of my time listening to how other people are getting on in the dating game and finding out about the latest and greatest ways to date and have fun.

You’ll notice a common theme in most of the things I have to say about dating – the number one thing I tell all singles is don’t be afraid to take a risk! There are so many couples out there with weird and wacky stories about how they met, don’t get caught up in overanalysing dating. Just get out there!

For more information on how to start chatting at TeleCafe click here. Girls talk free!

By Bridget Holland, General Manager of TeleCafe, an Australian telephone dating service.