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It's Just Lunch Celebrates Singles. National Singles Week, September 19-25, 2004.
Survey results on singles dating in the US.

Are singles dating? It's Just Lunch, the premier singles service for busy professionals with 65 locations worldwide, surveyed 3,968 singles nationwide and found that 51% of male singles have had over 6 first dates in the past year, while 58% of female singles had had just 4 first dates in the past year.

Female singles in the rest of the country should talk to the Southern women; 22% of single women in the South report they have had over 9 first dates in the past year.

With all of those first dates, how much are singles spending? 51% of men in the U.S. spend over $100 a month on dates, and 29% spend over $150. 82% of men in Los Angeles spend over $150 a month on dates.

Female singles are spending a lot less. Nearly 2/3 of U.S. women spend less than $50 a month. With all the first dates the Southern women are going on, they are not spending very much. Over 75% of women in the South spend less than $50 a month on dates.

With over 110 million singles in the U.S., It's Just Lunch recognizes National Singles Week, September 19-25, 2004. “It's Just Lunch has been studying the pulse of single professionals throughout the country for 14 years,” said Andrea McGinty, It's Just Lunch founder. “We've found that single professional men and women are interested in finding someone special and broadening their resources to make it happen.”

Ever used a singles service? 48% of men and 53% of women say “Yes.” 75% of men in the East and Texas have used a dating service, while 80% of women in Southern California have used a dating service to meet that someone special.

When selecting a first date restaurant, Italy wins. 46% of US single men and women prefer an Italian restaurant on a first date, while the majority of men in Cincinnati (61%) and South Florida (63%) prefer a steakhouse.

The South Beach and Atkins diets are a huge factor when ordering a meal on a first date. Protein is the winner. 1/3 of men will order a steak on a first date followed by 29% of men and 36% of women ordering fish.

When the waiter asks if you want another drink, better watch your limit. 86% of U.S. men and 91% of U.S. women agree that 2 alcoholic beverages is the maximum on a first date, and one in five would not drink at all.

Female singles choose wisely when deciding what to wear on a first date. Only 2% of men like to see a women wear green, while 44% of men prefer black on a woman on a first date. If you're on the East Coast, wear blue—31% of men like blue on a woman, while 27% of Texan men like red. Nearly ½ of men in Sarasota and St. Louis prefer white.

What happens when there is no chemistry on a first date? 68% of men in the U.S. would not go on a second date if there was no chemistry the first date, although nearly 2/3 of men in Orlando and Charlotte would give their date a second shot.

Female singles, on the other hand, will give it a second chance. 56% of U.S. women and 78% of East Coast women would go on a second date and hope chemistry develops. However, Midwestern women just won't waste their time—67% say no to a second date if there is no chemistry on the first date.

When there is chemistry, the three day rule does apply. 97% of men will call within 72 hours to schedule a second date. So, ladies, if you haven't heard from him in 3 days, forget about him. Men in Phoenix don't want their dates to get away--92% will call within 24 hours.

Cute, but bad attitude? 47% of U.S. men find a negative attitude the biggest turn-off on a first date, with almost 1/3 stating smoking as the biggest turn-off. Nearly 1/3 of men in Philadelphia and Chicago say talking about an ex is a big No, No.

Male singles, learn to listen. 47% of U.S. women are turned off by “talking about himself the entire time” and not listening. Female singles in Pittsburgh (53%) and Denver (41%) don't want to hear about their dates ex.

IJL found that looks are not that important. 67% of U.S. single men and 86% of U.S. single women find laughter and someone who smiles a lot the biggest turn-on over someone who is attractive and physically fit.

IJL has advice for the singles out there. “The most important thing to do on a first date is to be yourself,” said Andrea McGinty, It's Just Lunch founder. “You'll have more fun, and have a better chance at meeting someone that is right for you.”

About It's Just Lunch

Since It's Just Lunch was founded in 1991, the company has arranged thousands of fun, first date lunches or drinks after work—an atmosphere where singles can feel comfortable with the process of meeting a new person. With 65 locations worldwide, each day IJL arranges hundreds of fun, first dates over lunch or drinks after work at over 1,100 restaurants. With over 50% of introductions leading to a 2nd date, It's Just Lunch is the world's leading first date authority.

The U.S. dating service industry is estimated at nearly $1.5 billion, and growing at 25% annually, with 110 million adult singles in the United States alone.