It’s widely known that Australians hold a deep affection for dining out, however it may be surprising to learn that many have realised they were in love with their dining companion whilst eating out at a restaurant.
OpenTable, the world’s leading provider of online restaurant reservations, has today released the findings from its Diner Dating Etiquette research which reveals that of the two thirds (65%) of Australian diners who’ve had a romantic dining experience, 43% came to the realisation they were in love whilst at a restaurant.
The research has also proven the age-old theory that a way to an admirers’ heart is indeed through their stomach, with over seven million (46%) Australians confirming that a relationship has started with a date at a restaurant.
Tim Domelow, OpenTable’s Senior Business Development Manager of APAC, said: “The culture of dining out in Australia has always been a fantastic way to make new memories with loved ones. Our research has uncovered that a significant number of the population, more than four million, have been struck by cupid, realising they were in love with their date whilst across the dining table.
At OpenTable, we are extremely proud of the fact that we’re able to play a central role in helping millions of Australian diners find the perfect location for their first dates, offering an extensive range of restaurants on our platform so diners can find the right setting to make a perfect match. Whatever your preference for a romantic evening, with OpenTable’s seamless booking system diners can customise their experience down to the type of cuisine, price point and even the area of the restaurant they prefer to sit in such as the bar, an outdoor area or a quiet booth.”
With many memorable moments shared over the dining table, the Diner Dating Etiquette research has also turned the table on the biggest gripes diners have experienced whilst on a date, with three-quarters of Australians (75%) saying if someone asked them out on a dinner date, then requested that they split the bill, they would still go on a second date with that person, while one-in-ten (11%) said it would be a complete turn off!
With millions of Australians declaring that dining out at a restaurant is the preferred setting for a first date, it’s interesting to learn opinions that represent best practice when it comes to splitting the bill:
- Women (51%) are more likely than men (26%) to think that the best practice when it comes to paying the bill on a first date is that it should be split equally
- Over a third (36%) of diners say the male should pay the bill, whilst one in five (19%) believe whoever arranged the date should foot the bill, regardless of gender
Some of the biggest turn offs when dining out for a romantic occasion include: regular use of mobile phones (46%), dining at noisy restaurants (31%) and drunken behaviour by fellow diners (15%).
The research also unearthed what Australians look for in an ideal venue for a first date; with great food and drinks (40%) coming top of the list, followed by a casual, quiet, intimate setting (30%) and an atmospheric, outgoing environment (11%).
Finding the right venue for the perfect first date or to tell someone you love them comes down to personal choice. For an extensive selection of venues across Australia, visitwww.opentable.com.au to find the right dining option for every romantic occasion.
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