First date tips: Calm down, wash your motor and put away the mobile
Four of the top 10 turn-offs in a first encounter are related to cars, with road rage (46%), texting (45%), and chatting on your mobile (44%) when behind the wheel all among the biggest peeves for new potential partners.
While those three were fifth, sixth, and seventh on the list, 10th spot is occupied by a dirty car, with 23% saying it was a no-no.
The survey was conducted for the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Outside the top 10 answers were an inability to find and get into a parking space (11%), and overly cautious driving. More than one in seven said a slowcoach puts the brakes on a date.
On the other hand, good driving skills came eighth on the corresponding list of first date turn-ons with 11%, beating “great shoes” (9%) and “nice car” (7%). But enthusiastic gents should remember that in most cases this doesn’t mean an ability to complete handbrake turns.
The IAM’s chief executive, Sarah Sillars, said: “Bad driving not only has an impact on the safety of our roads, but can also affect your chances of romance. Being able to manoeuvre properly and drive carefully should be much higher up on people’s dating priorities.”
