One True Pairing

How will dating be different in 2023? We tell you what's in and what's out in your quest to find love in a new age

- Pameyla Cambe

The time of virtual dates is finally behind us, thank god. But the modern dating landscape is still evolving, and gone are the days when one can merely rely on good looks and good breeding to stand out in a line of suitors.

But don’t fret. The buzzy dating app Bumble has highlighted some dating trends for the savvy single to know, based on a survey of 14,300 Bumble users in the world, including Singapore. In 2023, expect to go on a journey of self‑discovery: who are you, beyond your job title or your father’s name? What do you find fulfilling outside of making money? And can you perform as well in bed as in the boardroom?

To win at romance, simply look to our ultimate dating guide.

IN: DINING AT A MICHELIN-APPROVED HAWKER STALL

We’re all feeling the sting of inflation (and that goods and services tax, of course). Unsurprisingly, the dating world is aligned with our economic reality: one in three people say they cannot be wooed by extravagant first dates, so there goes your reservation at that three‑Michelin‑starred restaurant. In fact, a third of the Singapore singles surveyed are now tightening their purse strings when it comes to dates.

If fancy dinner and drinks are out of the question, what should your dates look like? Keep it simple, like grabbing coffee at that café you have a stake in, or taking a walk around your multimillion‑dollar estate. Nothing says casual like dining at a hawker centre among the hoi polloi. Consult the latest edition of the Michelin Bib Gourmand for the best stalls to try with your date.

OUT: BEING MARRIED TO YOUR JOB