From poor hygiene to being on our phones, Ireland’s biggest relationship turn-offs have been revealed

Jody Coffey

Nobody’s perfect!

As we approach Valentine’s Day, the focus may firmly be on what we love most about our partners.

After all, it’s the season of luuurve and those gigantic teddy bears need to find their forever homes.

However, for those who are single and find themselves in a dating scene increasingly dominated by people looking for love online, it’s getting harder to navigate the world of romance.

It might be made easier, however, as one study has laid bare Ireland’s biggest icks when it comes to meeting a new partner.

Poor hygiene is the biggest turn-off for Irish singletons.

Over half of the 2,008 respondents surveyed (52 per cent) involved in the research carried out by Slingo said that poor hygiene would put them off a romantic partner.

This was echoed across both genders, as 43 per cent of male respondents and 59 per cent of female participants gave this answer.

Lack of manners was the second biggest ick for daters, with 31 per cent of those surveyed admitting would be put off by this trait; 27 per cent of men and 34 per cent of women.

No sense of humour ranks third with 28 per cent of those involved in the research saying they wouldn’t progress romantically if their date wasn’t funny.

A lack of ambition or laziness was a turn-off for 21 per cent of respondents, with 27 per cent of females and 15 per cent of males involved agreeing on this.

Fifth, 19 per cent of those surveyed said if their date was always on their phone would put them off, as both 19 per cent of women and men involved gave this response.

No communication skills ranked in sixth place of the biggest relationship turn-offs at 17 per cent, with it being more off-putting for women than men.

Females also disliked a date who talked over them or always interrupted them more than males, with 21 per cent of women participating in the study giving this answer, and 11 per cent of men.

Overall, 16 per cent of participants said this was a turn-off for a relationship.

In eighth place, a lack of care over appearance was given by 15 per cent of respondents; 17 per cent for men and 14 per cent for women.

Clinginess or no self-independence was the response for 12 per cent of those surveyed, with both men and women equally put off by this trait.

Meanwhile, too much makeup and talking to too much accounted for 11 per cent of the results, with 22 per cent of men giving this response.

Having no spontaneity would be an issue for eight per cent of the respondents, more so with men (11 per cent) than women (six per cent).

A good sense of humour is Ireland’s biggest relationship turn-on.

While the research unearthed Ireland’s biggest relationship turn-offs, it also discovered some of the biggest turn-ons.

Topping the list was, unsurprisingly, a good sense of humour, as almost half (49 per cent) favour the trait.

Second was a nice smell, with 29 per cent of respondents admitting it was a turn on for them.

Cleanliness and family-oriented were favoured by 24 and 17 per cent of participants, respectively.

Next was giving compliments, as 16 per cent admitted this was important for them in a relationship.

Being an experienced and/or good kisser and having good teeth also weighed in at 13 per cent each as a turn on for those involved in the research.

Meanwhile, 15 per cent of male respondents felt it was a turn on for a partner to care about their appearance, while 15 per cent of women liked the idea of a partner who can cook.