Dating: Red, Amber and Green Flags

Making a good first impression on a date is pretty  important. It’s like the opening act for the whole relationship show. Those initial moments give you a chance to show off your personality, manners, and just be your awesome self. If you kick things off on a positive note, it sets the vibe for the entire date and can totally spark some connection and chemistry. On the flip side, a not-so-great first impression can be a bit of a buzzkill. People pick up on little things like body language and how you carry a conversation, and it can sway their opinion pretty fast. So, putting in a bit of effort to be genuine, attentive, and respectful right from the start? Totally worth it for a shot at something more meaningful.

Studies reveal that on average within 42 minutes and 29 seconds of a first date, most people know whether they would progress to a second date or not, proving that the first impression really does count, relying on green, red and beige flags as a cheat code for compatibility.

So what are our top dating flags when it comes to food and drink? Interested to find out, BonusFinder.co.uk surveyed over 2,000 people and uncovered some of the most common red, beige and green flags and discovered the dining habits that we wouldn’t put up with.

 

The food flags in the dating world

 

Act	Flag colour	% Agree
Offers to pay the bill	Green	47%
Not an adventurous eater	Beige	62%
Makes a food or drink their personality (coffee, craft beer)	Beige	37%
Rude to others	Red	65%
Doesn’t tip	Red	57%

Get your wallets ready, if you offer to pay nearly half (47%) award this act the second-best green flag of all time. Both men and women find it attractive for their date to offer to pay, with 48% of women and 44% of men considering it a positive act.
Beige flags have taken TikTok by storm, with many flocking to the app to share their thoughts. This term refers to things that make someone a bit odd, straddling the line of being an ‘ick’. Whilst not ideal, they’re not deal breakers for most. However, it’s best to steer clear of them, especially someone who is not adventurous with food, no one wants to make a romantic connection over bland food with 62% of votes.

We all know them, the one who makes a point to show off their craft beer knowledge at any opportunity or talks about how coffee runs through their veins, their personality depends on a certain food or drink and that’s all they bring to the table. This irritating infatuation earns them a beige flag according to 37% of people.

Whether it is clicking your fingers at your waiter, or forgetting your pleases and thank yous, it is never ok to be rude to others according to 65% of people who would not stick around long enough to see the bill.

More than half (57%) of people deem not tipping a red flag, unsurprisingly so. Tipping with just a smile and a thank you is not good enough in 2023.