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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.

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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.

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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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More from The Heart Beat:
Science says everlasting love is a myth
Is courtship really dead?
Men no longer willing to pay for first date

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

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