Nearly half of Brits (49%) have called time on a relationship over an “ick” – including being too clingy, having bad teeth, and even having long or dirty fingernails.
The top turn-off in a relationship was simply smelling bad, according to one in eight (12%) of the 2,000 adults polled.
And 15% have called it quits with a potential match due to them being rude or overbearing, while the same number were put off by someone pretending to be more knowledgeable about something than they actually are.
Other top relationship “icks” include someone who claps when a plane lands (11%), and someone who is obsessed with star signs (12%).
But 56% have ghosted someone completely after calling things off, while 53% never bothered to explain their reasons for ending the relationship.
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Pretending to know more about a subject than they really do is one of the top relationship turn-offs (Getty Images)The study was commissioned by upscale dating site, Seeking, whose spokeswoman and in-house dating expert, Emma Hathorn, said: “People are very set on what they want, which is empowering.
“Online dating has opened up a whole new world of singles, which means people can afford to have higher standards.
“And if an absolute deal-breaker for you is someone who wears sunglasses indoors, or chews with their mouth open, that’s absolutely fair enough.”
The study also found that 36% believe they have actually given someone the “ick” themselves, turning them off totally.
And there seems to be a gender divide when it comes to what puts people off – with one in ten men saying they would break it off with someone who wanted to share food on a first date.
Meanwhile, 12% of women find a brash watch an “ick”, while 14% judge someone else for referring to their football team as “we”.
Of all those polled, two-thirds (67%) describe themselves as at least somewhat picky when it comes to finding a partner, with 22% being “very picky”.
And 61% believe they deserve the best, so try to up their standards when looking for a partner – showing the prevalence of the “dating up” trend.
However, 15% believe there is no such thing as being too picky when out on the dating scene, according to the OnePoll figures – further showing the growing popularity of trying to find more aspirational relationships.
Adding to this, more than a third (35%) believe their dating standards have got higher as they have gotten older – with those aged 65 and over most likely to feel this way.
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And many are also put off by fingernails that are too long or dirty (Getty Images)The research also uncovered how 65% are likely to judge someone negatively if they wanted to split a food bill – particularly if they suggested the date.
And 60% would critique a first date location choice if it didn’t meet their standards.
When it comes to looking for a potential partner, 28% said salary is most important, followed by a good sense of style and fashion (19%).
But the same number of adults feel dating does get harder, as you increase in years – despite 28% being completely set on dating someone who matches their preferences exactly.
Emma Hathorn added: “The current trend in dating at the moment is “dating up” – finding someone who can better and elevate their own lifestyle.
“So, the goal for all singletons is to not only be someone who can help someone else “date up” – but find someone who can elevate themselves at the same time.
“As with all things in life, it’s about finding that exact balance that works for you – and this can be tricky if you are totally inflexible in who you date.
“Keeping an open mind is key, and you may find someone who elevates your life in every way possible – even if they wear terrible shoes.”
TOP 40 THINGS THAT GIVE ADULTS THE “ICK”:
- Smelling bad
- Pretending to be more knowledgeable about something than they actually are
- Being overbearing and rude
- Double texting (sending a secondary text if you’ve not responded after the first one)
- Having bad teeth
- Being rude to a waiter
- Living in a mess
- Having dirty fingernails
- Chewing with their mouth open
- Being too clingy
- Talking too loud
- Eating and talking at the same time
- Being obsessed with their star signs
- Having long fingernails
- Putting on a baby voice
- Wearing too much makeup
- Breathing heavily
- Oversharing on social media
- Referring to themselves in the third person
- Having a bad tattoo
- Wearing a weird coloured lipstick
- Having shoes that are too dirty
- Having an Instagram account for their pet
- Referring to their football team as “we”
- Clapping when an airplane lands
- Wearing bad jeans
- Wearing sunglasses indoors
- Taking longer than you to get ready
- Having too many shirt buttons undone
- Wearing shoes you don't like
- Living at home with parents
- Not wearing socks with shoes
- Wanting to share food on the first date
- Wearing a tacky watch
- Using emojis in texts
- Wearing socks to bed
- Not paying on the first date
- Wearing creased clothes
- Saying pet names like “honey” or “baby”
- Pronouncing David Bowie's name wrong
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