Being single again for the first time in a hot minute, I decided to do some research on the world out there that awaits us lonely wanderers — what the dating experts say on relationships. In doing so, I uncovered some interesting, alarming and a couple sadly unsurprising statistics. Some of them confirmed awful fears (and made the feminist in me cringe) and others made me want to hi-five a million angels.

1. Interesting Facts About . . .
Dating and Relationships

2. Speed dating, invented by a
rabbi from Los Angeles in
1999, is based on a Jewish
tradition of chaperoned
gatherings of young Jewish singles.

3. The most common time for breakups is around
three to five months.

4. The third week in September is National Singles
Week in the U.S.

5. In online dating, women are
most afraid of meeting a
serial killer.
Men are afraid of meeting
someone “fat.

6. Body type is important in
attracting a date.
Studies show that
overweight individuals
were perceived less
favorably than thin or
muscular people.

7. Worst places to go on first date include fast-food
restaurants, your kids’ birthday party or school
play, your parents’ house, strip clubs, X-rated
films or swingers parties, a party where your ex
will be, church activities, or window shopping.

8. Five types of women that men tend to avoid are
serial flirters, someone who talks about marriage
too soon, clingy women, the party-girl, and a
woman who talks too much or is drama queen.

9. Top ten turn-offs for women include: cystic acne,
raggedy nails, flatulence and belching, missing
teeth, body odor, bad breath, hairy nostrils, “man
boobs,” “goofy” glasses, and hair “mistakes.”

10. Four common date blunders include showing up
late, talking about yourself too much, revealing
too much about your ex, and an obvious over-eagerness.

11. If a man can’t decide what to wear on a
date, he might want to wear blue.
Studies show that women are attracted
to men in blue.

12. If a woman offers to pay for everything, chances
are she isn’t that into the date.
There’s an unspoken understanding that a man
paying for everything is a form of “copulatory
gift,” which is almost universal in all animal
species.

13. Mirroring, or repeating
someone’s body language,
often impresses a date
because it subtly conveys
interest to the other person.
One should avoid copying
every move, however.

14. After Tiger Wood’s affairs
became public, men looking
for discreet relationships on
BeNaughty.com dropped by
47.5%

15. Millennials are taking digital breakups to
another level and Tweeting breakups in record
numbers (and in less characters!):
w’re dun @CLARISSA_SAY_IT_ALL