Can mixing business with pleasure lead to romantic opportunities? While some professional singles try to keep them separate, others can’t help but mix the two. In the latest It’s Just Lunch Survey, we asked more than 4,000 singles how they mix business and pleasure from their preferred first date activity to how much time they devote between work and play.The results revealed an interesting trend indicating the role reversals of men and women in their attitudes toward dating.
Did you know that 45% of women are more likely to talk about business or work-related topics than their male counterparts, fifty-five percent (55%) of which stray away from such discussions? Despite the fact that one quarter of the singles we surveyed prefer dating an entrepreneur or business owner, one interesting thing It’s Just Lunch discovered was that 26% of men had a higher preference for dating someone in the medical field, while 31% of women showed a higher preference for dating business executives. It makes a lot of sense when you think about it.
Women like talking about business so dating a business executive would be ideal. The problem for these women, however, is that most of these business executive types would rather talk about something completely unrelated to their profession, which makes dating someone in the medical field a much more attractive option. But men aren’t the only ones who prefer diversity in their relationships.
In fact, most of the singles we polled (69%) prefer dating someone in a different industry altogether. One possible reason for wanting to date someone outside your profession is to avoid competition or jealousy. When you run in the same professional circle, it’s hard not to bring work home with you. Besides, diversity is what makes relationships fun and exciting. It can also keep conversations from going dull.
The least desired professions to date included real estate, finance and law since professionals in those field are considered most likely to bring work home with them. Women especially have a hard time drawing the line between work and play while men seem to be hardwired with an easy on and off switch.
If you happen to be among the handful of people who have trouble making time for dating, then the best places to meet other professional singles are business networking events. You can kill two birds with one stone as you build meaningful relationships with potential business partners, clients and even romantic interests. While 39% of singles who attend networking events keep it strictly professional, there are still 21% of singles who attend for business and personal reasons. If even only two of you are there with a similar romantic ulterior motive, then you just might cross paths with your ideal match.
As far as first dates are concerned, most business-oriented singles prefer cocktails after work over coffee anytime. Perhaps it’s that dash of liquid courage that calms most first-date nerves, but then again perhaps the 22% of singles who preferred coffee simply don’t drink alcohol in favor of sobriety.
Regardless of what profession you’re in, no one wants to be or date a workaholic. The more you make time for dating, the more successful you’ll be at it in much the same way you’ve become successful in your current profession with all the time you’ve made prioritizing your career over love. It’s time you started rewarding yourself for all your hard work by inviting the relationship and love you seek to enhance the quality of the life you’ve built for yourself.
So are you in the right profession for dating? Maybe, maybe not, but as long as you have a job, have your own life outside of a relationship, and don’t mind driving the next town over for a date, the odds are still in your favor.