You meet someone that you like online. Everything is going swimmingly until you learn that he likes to binge watch episodes of Storage Wars in twelve hour stretches, while you’re more of a “watch an episode of House of Cards before bed” kind of girl. Sound familiar?
As much as we’d like to write it off as being silly and superficial, our streaming preferences do have an impact on our romantic lives according to a recent study by Netflix.
From the early phases of courting to post marital bliss, Netflix can be barometer of a relationship’s status. The streaming service polled its millennial members to ask how Netflix has impacted their relationship process over the years. From finding that show compatibility is important (yes, a love for House of Cards could make or break a bond) to understanding the significance of deciding to share an account, the findings uncovered some interesting insights.
Here’s a few ways that your Netflix habits could make or break your date (and how to use them to your advantage while online dating!)
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Put your best foot forward when creating your online dating profile.
If you haven’t listed any of your favourite shows in your online dating profile, what are you waiting for? According to Netflix, 53% of singles surveyed have added TV shows or specific movie genres to their dating profile to attract a potential suitor. If you’re that person who is obsessively in love with BoJack Horseman (ahem, me) – own it. When it comes to listing your interests (TV shows included) it pays to be as honest and specific as possible. So, don’t just say, “I like to watch stuff on the TV” – that’s lame. Talk about your love of adult themed cartoons or political thrillers. You might think that listing that obscure British comedy show that always appears at the very bottom of your search screen (but that you love dearly) is pointless, but it will be worth it when you meet someone who also can wax poetic about your favourite show.
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Use what you stream to break the ice.
There are so many high quality shows out there right now (for example, House of Cards, Mad Men, The Wire) that spending an hour talking about TV on a first date isn’t considered boring or a faux pas like it might have in the past. Case and point: when I catch up with my friend who lives on the other side of the country, we always spend a good 45 minutes discussing what we’re streaming (and loving) at the moment. It’s not surprising that this kind of passion for television translates to the dating arena. In fact, according to the survey, 77% of members discussed movies and TV shows to break the ice on a first date.
Pro-tip: always read through the other person’s profile before the date, so that you have some talking points ready when you meet them. It’s good to know that if the conversation stalls, you can always whip out a winner like, “So, what’s the deal with the haircuts on Making a Murderer?”
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Beware, you might have “Showgoggles.”
It’s a thing. More than a quarter of respondents (56%) admit to finding someone more attractive based on the shows and movies they watched. Yes, this has totally happened to me. Sigh. I’ve been on first dates where we’ve bonded over a shared love of Omar from The Wire or Carrie’s ingenuity on Homeland, only to realize a few hours or dates later, that our taste in TV is literally all we have in common. While it’s great to be able to connect over your streaming habits, make sure that you have other things in common before you commit to a relationship. Trust me – there’s only so many times you can use the line, “So, how about that Omar” to quell awkward silences before it gets old (hint: it’s one time.)
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Staying in is the New Date Night….or is it?
Six in ten (58%) respondents in a relationship say they prefer to stay in and watch Netflix for date night. Most (77%) say they watch Netflix together because they like spending time together without leaving the house, while seven in ten (68%) say shows are more fun when watched together, and 58% enjoy having someone to talk with about the show – the ultimate bonding experience.
With that said, there’s still close to 50% of respondents who don’t consider staying home and watching Netflix as the ultimate date night (myself included!) Although I do enjoy a cozy night in with the person I’m dating, I like to go out and experience the world with my date. Staying in all the makes me feel frustrated. Maybe you feel this way too. Show compatibility is important, but so is a shared lifestyle. Don’t let your “showgoggles” blind you to this.
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Don’t hog the remote.
If you plan on staying in and watching some Netflix together, compromise and communication are key. When it comes to date night, most people (71%) say they negotiate with their date when deciding which shows to watch. Nearly half (47%) say that they use the “show for show” tactic. To avoid confrontation, choose one you both like! Long story short: if your date attempts to hold you hostage with hours of Murder She Wrote episodes when you’d rather be watching Arrested Development (or anything else, really), it’s OK to politely excuse yourself. This person is clearly not literate in the rules of modern showmance.
