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Half of foodie-loving Americans believe a first date should always involve a meal — but won’t risk eating messy foods until the fourth date.
More than four in 10 (43%) even said being a good cook is a turn-on when it comes to finding a suitor.
The research also revealed the most popular ways of involving cuisine on a date — dining out (43%), having takeout (31%) and going to food festivals (31%).
Desserts such as chocolate brownies (16%) and apple pie (15%) are also considered to be risk-free.
It seems the biggest foodies are based in the Southeastern states, with 56% feeling passionate about a first date always including food, while 55% of residents there said knowing someone is a good cook is a turn-on — more than any other region.
It also emerged that 83% have gone on a breakfast or brunch date at one time or another — with a quarter revealing this to be their preferred time to dine out on a date.
Forty-five percent think going for brunch helps keep the atmosphere relaxed, and 28% believe it’s more romantic than any other meal.
Adults in the West (38%), Midwest (33%) and Northeast (34%) are most likely to opt for a brunch date over any other mealtime.
And should love blossom, the ideal meal for meeting the in-laws for the first time is a salad (25%), while having a burger is the go-to for the first meal in a new home (28%).
For a marriage proposal, the meal of choice is steak (27%) — although this is also the most popular dish to have when breaking up with someone (23%).
Those in the Northeast are most likely to order a salad on a first date, while the go-to meal for residents of the Northwest region is a steak and those in the West would go for burgers or pizza.
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The study also found it takes six weeks of dating someone before it’s seen as “acceptable” to steal food off their plate.
Two in five (43%) wouldn’t say anything if someone they’d just started dating served a meal that they didn’t like. In fact, it typically takes around six weeks before respondents will be honest with someone about their cooking.
Just as many (41%) revealed they would judge a date if they asked for a “doggy bag” to take home any leftovers.
source: people.com
