Adding your date on Facebook too early… and five other things that could put an early end to your new romance
When you're falling in lust, these are tempting traps to fall into - but it could mean your relationship doesn't last a month
WHEN you’re first dating a new person, it can be pretty tempting to have a good Facebook stalk.
But a new study has found that even accepting a friend request could be very detrimental to the delicate romance.
Couples who connect on social media too soon are likely to not even last a month, because information overload can affect their opinions of each other.
Researchers surveyed 14,000 people about their most recent relationships to find out how being friends on Facebook affected them long-term.
Around a quarter (26 per cent) of those who took part had sent a friend request before their first date, 42 per cent right after their first date, and 32 per cent a month or more after their first date.
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Tellingly, those who had become friends right after their first date had flings which lasted less than a month, while those who became friends later enjoyed proper relationships which lasted over a year.
While those who were already friends with their date before they went out romantically had relationships which lasted between one and six months.
The research was commissioned by WhatsYourPrice.com, whose CEO and founder said: “Connecting with a new partner on social media can result in information overload.
“Allowing too much access to someone’s past can create unnecessary anxieties and break an already fragile trust between two new partners.”
Here are five other things which could be a deal breaker, if you do them too soon:
1. Meeting the parents
Introducing your new lady or fella to your parents within the first month, or even suggesting doing so, can spell disaster for some.
Siblings, extended family members and especially young kids could also be a deal breaker – so it’s best to keep it to solo dates or hanging out with friends for now.
2. Going on a mini break
When you’re still in that honeymoon period, and can barely keep your hands off each other, the idea of a romantic weekend away can seem like the perfect idea.
But can you really hack spending that much time in each other’s pockets at this early stage?
It makes more sense to allow yourselves space to miss each other, than to be getting bored already.
3. Being too clingy
If your date doesn’t want to hold your hand or kiss in public, give them time. Don’t bombard them with texts either.
4. You like different things
If it feels like you’re clutching at straws to find things you have in common, it might be best to end this one and move on.
5. Saying ‘I love you’ too soon
This is a big no-no for obvious reasons. Don’t mistake lust for love and, if you feel you are falling for someone too quickly, maybe try to keep it to yourself.