| Hello Heidi The latest research from 77 Diamonds has found that natural conversation is the biggest factor in wanting a second date, while how someone treats restaurant staff is among the most important first-date green flags. The findings suggest that genuine connection, good manners and personality carry more weight than appearance or financial success when it comes to making a lasting first impression. Key takeaways; Forget looks and money: conversation is the biggest key to securing a second date: 19% of Brits say natural conversation would make them most likely to want to meet again, ahead of making someone laugh (15%) and obvious chemistry (13%). Strong physical attraction ranks much lower at just 7%. How you treat waiting staff could make or break your date: Being kind and polite to restaurant and bar staff is the third most popular first-date green flag, cited by 12% of respondents. Meanwhile, rudeness towards staff ranks as the second biggest red flag, identified by 14%. Exes, heavy drinking and smoking are major dating turn-offs: Being hung up on an ex is the biggest deterrent to a second date (19%), followed by heavy drinking (17%) and smoking (15%). Financial stability and having a good career, meanwhile, are each selected by just 3% as reasons to want another date. First impressions happen faster than you might think: More than a third of respondents (37%) say they usually know whether they want a second date within the first 15 minutes, including 16% who decide within just five minutes. Yet 13% prefer time to reflect before making their decision. The latest research from 77 Diamonds has found that natural conversation is the biggest factor in wanting a second date, while how someone treats restaurant staff is among the most important first-date green flags. The findings suggest that genuine connection, good manners and personality carry more weight than appearance or financial success when it comes to making a lasting first impression. The research surveyed the UK general population* on their attitudes towards dating, first-date behaviour and relationship expectations, including the factors that would make them more or less likely to pursue a second date. Natural conversation was the most frequently selected factor that would make respondents more likely to want a second date, cited by 19%. Making someone laugh followed at 15%, while 13% said obvious chemistry would encourage them to meet again. By comparison, just 7% selected strong physical attraction, while making an effort with appearance and being financially stable or having a good career were each selected by only 3%. How a person treats other people also emerged as an important consideration. Being kind or polite to waiting and bar staff was the third most frequently selected first-date green flag, cited by 12% of respondents. Conversely, being rude to waiting or bar staff was the second most frequently selected red flag, identified by 14%. The findings highlight how behaviour towards others can shape perceptions of a potential partner, even during an early romantic encounter. The survey also found that asking questions and genuinely listening was the most frequently selected green flag overall, cited by 17% of respondents. Making someone laugh ranked second at 15%, while having similar values was selected by 10%. Other positive signs included putting a phone away, speaking positively about friends and family, and being open about what they are looking for in a relationship. When asked what would make them less likely to want a second date, being hung up on an ex was the most frequently selected answer, cited by 19% of respondents. Heavy drinking followed at 17%, while smoking was selected by 15%. Spending a lot of time on social media was another deterrent, identified by 9%, suggesting that lifestyle choices and emotional readiness can also influence whether a first date leads to another meeting. First impressions can also form quickly. A total of 21% of respondents said they usually know whether they would like to see someone again within 15 minutes, while 16% make that decision within the first five minutes. However, 22% said they generally know by the end of the date, and 13% prefer to have time to think about the experience before deciding. Tobias Kormind, Co-Founder of 77 Diamonds, commented: “When it comes to dating, it’s easy to assume that appearance or a willingness to splash the cash will make the biggest difference. But these findings point towards something much more fundamental: people want to feel heard, enjoy themselves and see how a potential partner treats others. Conversation is a big part of building a connection, and the ability to listen and show genuine interest can make someone feel valued. The way a person treats waiting staff is revealing, too. Being courteous to the fellow humans around you says a great deal about your character. You would, after all, be hard pressed to find a person who doesn’t consider kindness an attractive quality. Ultimately, lasting relationships are built on compatibility, shared values and mutual respect. Grand gestures can be memorable, but it’s often the everyday qualities that help two people decide whether they have a future together.” Survey results Survey of 1,148 members of the UK population conducted by ProperPR on behalf of 77 Diamonds, via consumer research platform, FindOutNow on 19/10/2026. Full survey results can be viewed online here |