Following our latest survey about holiday romances, here's what we discovered:
• 76% believe a holiday romance can turn into something long term
• We would most like to have a holiday romance with somebody Irish
• 62% would not tell a partner if they had a fling on holiday
• 28% admit to being less selective while on holiday
• 3% say they married the person they had a holiday romance with.
• Men more likely to stay in touch.
The Irish are more for summer loving than sunshine flings
76% of respondents told Maybefriends.com that they believed that a holiday romance could turn into a long term relationship. With 17% of people declared they go on holiday looking for love and 68% saying they would be open to romantic opportunity.
However over one in four, 28% admitted they are less selective when on holidays with men more likely to move away from their usual "type". 36% of men said they would be less restrictive in their choice of partner whereas that is the case with 16% of women.
I think that Holiday romances are all part of the fun of going on holidays. People are more relaxed and more open to the opportunity of meeting somebody new. In reality of course you can meet a partner absolutely anywhere and you should always be receptive to romance. I thought it was interesting that a quarter of people were less selective in their choice of partner on holidays. Sometimes we box ourselves in with a checklist for a potential partner and removing those constraints can be a good thing.
59% of respondents revealed that they had holiday romances in the past. Off those who had holiday romances nearly half 46% said they kept in touch after the holiday ended.
And the figures show that men are much more likely to stay in touch than women. Of the people who stay in contact with a holiday romance 53% are men and 38% of women.
31% of respondents kept in touch for a month, 24% for a year and 28% for longer than a year. 3% of respondents ended up married to their holiday romance and that 3% were all men.
Two thirds of people would not confess to their partner if they had a fling on holiday. 62% of respondents would keep any dalliances quiet. With men more likely to stay silent that women 65% of men said they would not confess all compared with 60% of women.
Respondents would most like to have a holiday romance with other Irish people according to the Maybefriends.com survey. The Irish topped the most popular nationality chart with both men and women with well over a third (35%) next up were the English with 15% and the Americans with 10%.
Yet once Maybefriends.com examined the second choice nationality for men and women an interesting anomaly was revealed with 20% of Irish men picking English women and 14% of Irish women going for Italian men.
Maybefriends.com Holiday Romance Checklist
1. Everything is quicker on holidays, all the normal dating rules are on fast forward - don't be too subtle if you are interested you need to let the other person know.
2. By the same token choose sensibly. For example if you are on a cruise don't have a fling on your first night and spend the rest of the holiday hiding. Think before you act.
3. Consider carefully about exchanging contact details. Is Juan the waiter really a long term prospect? Sometimes it is better to enjoy fond holiday memories untarnished by annoying reality.
4. Remember everyone behaves differently on holiday and that will include the object of your affections too. Day to day reality can be totally different.
5. Make your intentions known early on. If you are sure this is only going to be a bit of fun for your two weeks in the sun then be fair, let the other person know.
6. If it is not working out then move on with good grace and good manners. Just because you are on holidays does not mean you can be cruel.
7. It can be a good opportunity to move away from your usual checklist of what you want in a partner; maybe the checklist is holding you back.
8. Don't forget the people you came on holiday with. If you came with a group of friends remember to spend time with them, don't just disappear off into the sunset for the duration of your holiday.
9. Don't forget protection. An STI is one kind souvenir you don't want.
10. Remember you don't have to leave home to find romance; you just need to be open to new opportunities.