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The Heart Beat The Heart Beat blog

Singles: Bad teeth, grammar among deal breakers

Plus, many surveyed said they would not date a virgin.

By Kristin Wong Feb 6, 2013 5:48PM

What do modern singles look for in a potential partner? A survey of over 5,000 unattached adults sought to find out. 

Research company MarketTools asked singles about turn-ons, deal breakers and even one-night stands. Among the more interesting findings was that nearly half of those polled (42 percent) said they would not date a virgin. Another deal breaker? Credit card debt.

What singles want / Abel Mitja Varela/Getty ImagesMore on MSN Living: 8 signs you're too bossy in bed

The majority of singles polled (65 percent) wouldn't date someone with credit card debt in excess of $5,000. Fifty-four percent wouldn't date someone with "substantial" student loan debt.

If you're a single virgin with maxed out credit cards — good luck. And if you live with your parents, it gets worse. Forty-nine percent of singles wouldn't even consider a committed relationship with someone who lives at home with Mom and Dad.

More on MSN Living: What his sex signals really mean

The survey was conducted by MarketTools Inc. for dating site Match.com. It polled 5,481 singles.

When it comes to one-night stands, more people have had them than you may think. Forty-four percent of women and 63 percent of men have engaged in a brief bedroom encounter. But 33 percent of those would-be one-night stands turned into a relationship.

The poll also asked men how they judge women. Ladies, you may want to start editing your text messages. Grammar is a trait that a surprising 55 percent of men notice. Teeth, hair and clothes were also judge-worthy traits. 

And what do women want? Ladies' No. 1 "must have" in a relationship was someone who "treats me with respect." Women also want someone they can "trust and confide in."

Thirty-six percent of singles have sent a sexy photo or explicit content to someone.  Possibly related, 38 percent would cancel a date if they found something unsavory while doing an Internet background check on their date.

Tell us — what are your dating deal breakers?

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Photo: What singles want / Abel Mitja Varela/Getty Images

41Comments
Feb 14, 2013 5:02PM
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Guys, listen up. MANNERS MATTER! If you want a woman to consider a second date, open the door, hold her chair, help her on and off with her coat...............you know, all those things you mother tried to teach you about how to treat a lady.

 

Most other things can be worked out. Manners=Respect. You wouldn't want a woman who would disrespect you, would you?

Feb 14, 2013 3:21PM
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More than one divorce.

More than two children. Or two children from different men.

Tattoos. Any size. Any where. Any number.

Talking/complaining about her ex.

Comparing me to her ex.

Bad hygiene.

Promiscuity. I know that'll be a surprise people for a guy to say, but, if she doesn't think it's valuable, why should I?

And the number one deal breaker of all time - Flirting with another a guy.

Feb 14, 2013 5:16PM
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"When it comes to one-night stands, more people have had them than you may think. Forty-four percent of women and 63 percent of men have engaged in a brief bedroom encounter. But 33 percent of those would-be one-night stands turned into a relationship."

 

Soooo...how exactly does this qualify as a one night stand?

Feb 14, 2013 8:15PM
Feb 14, 2013 8:47PM
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Deal breakers for me are:

1) Too religious.  I'm not going to suddenly start attending church or synagogue, so we're probably a mismatch from the start if he's a devotee of any organized religion.

2) Lack of education.  Chances are we'll have little to talk about if he doesn't have some post-high school education or isn't fairly well-read.

3) Conflicting political ideology. To each their own, but I find that a conservative and a liberal in a romantic relationship is like oil and water.

4) Doesn't love animals. A person who doesn't love animals is suspicious to me.

5) Sports fanatic. I don't want to be involved with a man who's glued to the TV while grown men play with balls.

6) Man-slut. A gentleman posted earlier that if a woman doesn't value herself, why should he?  I think he makes an excellent point, one that works both ways.  A man who whores himself around is deeply unattractive on many levels.

7) And, of course, the standard deal breakers:  Drug use, criminal record, no work ethic, children by multiple women.

Feb 14, 2013 7:15PM
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Bad breath and beer sh*ts head the top of my list.
Feb 14, 2013 9:27PM
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little surprised about debt being an issue

its not the sort of thing discussed during the first couple of dates

byt the time any of this stuff comes up, a relationship already exists

 

unless some one is crude enough to ask about these things on a 1st date

Feb 14, 2013 3:47PM
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1. no pscho exes

2. no kids

3. have job

4. knows what relationship are all about.

 

        LUCKY ME, I GOT ONE..been with him for 11 years........

                                                                   

                  .HAVE A NICE VALENTINES DAY..TO ALL...

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