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If you've ever locked eyes with a cutie on the MRT, constructed an entire future in your head between Dhoby Ghaut and Bishan, then exited the train without doing a thing...congratulations. You are statistically normal.
That's according to our latest Time Out Loud survey, which quizzed 18,500 city-dwellers living in the world's major cities on all things love and romance. We asked how often they see attractive people in their cities, flirt, have a night out which might lead to romance, date, and have sex.
In Singapore, respondents say they see someone attractive an average of 7.8 times a month – that's basically twice a week. So, our city is hardly short of eye candy. But when it comes to taking action? We don't fare so well.
Singaporeans report flirting just over three times a month. We're not giving ourselves the chance to meet potential partners, either, clocking just 1.9 nights out that might lead to romance each month – the lowest of any city in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, Manila residents are giving it their best shot, flirting 6.6 times a month on average. In Bangkok, people are flirting and going out six to seven times a month – and they're having sex 9.1 times a month to show for it. Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi are not far behind, clocking in at least four flirty attempts and going on romantic nights out four to five times a month. In short, our neighbours are seriously (or not-so-seriously) chasing love while we yearn quietly for that mysterious stranger across the hawker centre.
We can think of a couple of reasons why Singaporeans are stuck window-shopping. It's an expensive country to live, work, and play in, and a proper date night with dinner, drinks, and transport included does add up fast. Then there's our busy schedules, where work, the gym, family, and sheer exhaustion mean romance really has to earn its slot.
It's not necessarily a bad thing. It could simply mean that we're more selective about who we're partnering up with – very wise if you're going to wind up sharing a BTO with this guy or gal. And going solo has its perks: total freedom and greater privacy, and more emotional bandwidth for friends and the community.
But if you're still looking to date and find love in Singapore, we've got some ideas for you – enjoy a unique date with your boo, make a good impression on your Hinge match at one of these romantic restaurants, or if you already have a Valentine, say "I love you" with a thoughtful gift for him or her.
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