Dating can be expensive, especially if you’re an online dating enthusiast and have numerous dates every month.

But do you think dating in the UK costs more or less than in Madrid, NYC or Paris? Well, a recent study has revealed the average cost of dating around the world, based on buying two cinema tickets, a meal for two, a drink each and a taxi ride home.

So, if you're taking a trip and cant decide where to go this may help...

MADRID

2 cinema tickets: £12.91

Meal for 2: £37.96
Drinks: £9.90
Taxi: £10.63

Total cost £71.40

Budget option: With stunning grounds and amazing artwork, Madrid’s Royal palace is a perfect setting for a date and entry is from only £8 

Splurge: Explore Madrid on two wheels – Segway! Three hours costs around £49

ROME  

2 cinema tickets: £12.90

Meal for 2: £43.28
Drinks: £10.70
Taxi: £15.94

Total cost £82.82

Budget option: Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain before grabbing an authentic Spanish coffee in one of the nearby cafes. 

Splurge: Catch a game at Stadio Olimpico, assuming you’re both football fans of course!

PARIS

2 cinema tickets: £15.17

Meal for 2: £49.31
Drinks: £12.88
Taxi: £12.89

Total cost £90.25

Budget option: Add a lock to the many on the railings of Parisian Bridges. In years to come you could return to try and find it.

Splurge: Dinner is served – at the top of the Eiffel Tower! If you’re not afraid of heights then enjoy dinner at the famous 58 Tour Eiffel - a luxury dinner and window seat will set your back £114 

NEW YORK

2 cinema tickets: £18.58

Meal for 2: £73.64
Drinks: £13.93
Taxi: £13.27

Total cost £119.42

Budget option: Enjoy a stroll through Central Park, visit iconic venues from some of your favourite films and go to the Top Of The Rock at night – the possibilities are endless.

Splurge: Charter a helicopter - you’ll be able to see the sights of New York from the sky and all the famous landmarks.

 

LONDON 

2 cinema tickets: £23

Meal for 2: £66
Drinks: £13.41
Taxi: £14

Total cost £116.41
  
Budget option: There are plenty of free attraction in the capital – The Natural History Museum, National Portrait Gallery and Tate Modern are just a few.

Splurge: Afternoon tea after a spot of sightseeing? Nothing says tea like Claridge’s - around £50pp. 

 

Wherever you plan on dating this summer meet someone special with Fliritify

09:58

We’re all familiar with dating customs and traditions of the Western world – the good, the bad and the mortifying – but how familiar are we with the international dating game?

In a dating landscape where originality is praised and sleazy one-liners are scorned, we’ve been wondering if any inspiration can be taken from our international love-birds. Be prepared – there are some wacky courting methods out there, and we take no responsibility for the outcome of your dates if you choose to apply one – or several – of them! Remember; when it comes to dating it’s all about the confidence!

White Day – Japan

 










On Valentine’s Day, Japanese women present chocolates to men, and the men don’t give anything back in return. That may sound a bit one-sided, but exactly one month later men buy the women white chocolate to let them know that the feelings are mutual – this day is known as ‘white day’. The Japanese are renowned for their stoic and patient demeanour, a stark contrast to Westerners who worry and stress about how long to wait before contacting someone after a first date.

Spin Class – China

 










Amongst China’s ethnic group of Dai, courtship is centred round a bonfire. The women are seated in a circle spinning wool, whilst the men of the village serenade them with traditional songs – it’s not exactly Notting Hill, but we like it! If one melodically gifted man sends a particular woman’s world into a spin cycle, she places a stool next to her and invites him to sit. If one man becomes entranced by a particular woman, he’ll sit beside her and place his blanket over her shoulders – how sweet.

Spooning  – Wales

 










This odd but sweet Welsh tradition isn’t as it seems. Whether you’re the big or the little spoon, your carpentry skills will ultimately tell the tale of your affection. The man presents the lady with a heartfelt and intricately carved wooden spoon; this represents his oath to feed and provide for her throughout their lives. If the affections aren’t shared, the woman refuses the spoon, but if  they are she will wear the spoon around her neck for several days afterwards.

The apple of my armpit – Austria

 











It’s said the old ways are often best – but we’re not so sure with this Austrian tradition. Through history Austrian women would turn up to ballroom dances with slices of apples tucked into their armpits - this wasn’t just for fashion or before the days of deodorant.
After the dance, it was tradition for the women to hand over the slices to the men who caught their eye. If the man had similar feelings, they would eat the slices. This gives the phrases “apple of my eye” a whole new meaning!

To have and to carry – Finland

 









The village of Sonkarjävi in Finland holds quite a peculiar annual event which attracts quite the crowd; Wife-carrying World Championships. Participants throw their wife or partner over their shoulders and complete a series of challenges and tasks. The winner is awarded the equivalent of their partner’s body weight in beer. It’s certainly one way to show your commitment (to beer at least) and your supportive nature.

Whale Tooth – Fiji

 












Winning over the father-in-law can be a troublesome task, but in Fiji that task is made even troublesome. When asking for permission to have their daughter’s hand in marriage, the groom to be must present their father in law with a whale tooth to show their capability as a husband!

We wouldn’t blame you if you just opted for a nice bouquet and a well-timed compliment!

 

Whatever your go to dating method is, Flirtify can help you find someone to give a slice of armpit apple to! Just kidding… that’s not very sanitary. 

(Please don’t do that.)

16:47

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A SHOPPING VOUCHER: Follow @FlirtifyUK and tell us your worst outfit dilemma! Eeeek!

Turns out, it can! 

We know choosing the perfect outfit for a hot date can be frustrating and can quickly end with most of your wardrobe on the floor but, this may be about to change… 
A recent survey has revealed the colour you should wear when trying to attract a potential partner... and it's not just the ladies, we have the results for men too.

SPOILER ALERT!

If you haven’t already taken part in our Facebook poll do it now, and you could win a £10 voucher to spend at Dorothy Perkins, Burtons, TOPSHOP, TOPMAN and many more!

What to wear:
A recent survey has revealed that men are most likely to form relationships with women who wear red on a first date, while colours to avoid are yellow and brown.

The survey aimed to discover which colour of clothing was most likely to catch the eye of both men and women when dating, and just how significant clothing colour can be.

They asked a total of 1,128 female and 1,232 male adults all in relationships if they still remembered the outfit that their partner was wearing when they first met – 92 per cent of respondents did!

Then these individuals were asked what colour it was that stood out the most for them at the time…

Best colour to wear on a first date… Ladies:

1. Red  - 27%
2. Blue - 19%
3. Green - 14%
4. Black - 11%
5. Purple - 8% 

Gentlemen:

1. Grey - 24%
2. Black - 22%
3. Blue - 16%
4. Green - 8%
5. White - 7%

When asked if the colour had any impact on how much they were attracted to them, 69 per cent of men and 64 per cent of women admitted that it did.

What not to wear:
The survey revealed yellow and brown are most likely to put both sexes off on a first date - and women especially dislike a man in pink. Surprised?

G.Charles who conducted the survey said: “It is human nature to assess someone quickly. Fashion sense and clothing colour choice is one of the first things the brain will notice."

All that’s left to do is put this to the test, start by finding a date with Flirtify today!

The City University of New York concluded by saying “Heterosexual men are sensitive to red colouration on women. Compared with a range of other colors,women viewed on red backgrounds or wearing red clothing are found more attractive.

Even when women are viewed carrying red objects (i.e.laptop or hand bag), they are found more attractive than when holding comparable objects in different colours”

Do you need a little colour to complete your outfit... then why not take part in our poll tod win a £10 voucher. Here are some suggestions on what to spend it on...

DOROTHY PERKINS 

Red Bow Cross-body Bag, £10

 
TOPSHOP 
Lace Brazilian Knicker, £4

TOPSHOP
Lip Ombre In Baffle, £9

DOROTHY PERKINS 
Red Tassel Drop Gold Bangle, £8.50

 












BURTON
Light Grey Braces, £8

 














TOPMAN 
French Bulldog Socks, £3

Why not send us your pre-date outfit pics using #dateready to @FlirtifyUK

Featured

15:39

Well that’s what a few single men and women across the UK are doing all in pursuit of true love… and for a reality TV show. 

 

‘Married At First Sight’ is the controversial TV program that first found success in Denmark and America last year. It begins here in the UK tomorrow night at 9pm, and follows the stories of single British men and women, all of whom have agreed to walk down the aisle with someone they have never met in the hope of finding someone special.

At the risk of sounding like my Nannan, it’s the sort of thing that you hear about happening in Vegas, but this is no Little White Wedding Chapel involving alcohol and Elvis. No, this is central London and all participants will be indeed sober and signing their romantic futures away for the reality television show.

We say controversial because although modern marriage may come in all shapes and sizes, many feel tying the knot with someone you’ve just met on national television is disrespectful, and making a mockery of the sanctity of this ancient tradition.  

Each ‘couple’ have been specially selected after weeks of rigorous tests - recording everything from their DNA to intelligence, relationship history and physical well being by a panel of experts, including a vicar and social anthropologist. 

Gone are the days of Take Me Out where all the contestants have to do is go on a mini break, now they are vowing to spend the rest of their lives together - it sounds like a nightmarish social experiment but we’re sure it’s going to make for an interesting watch. 

Forget commitment, romance and a faithful, loving relationship — instead, why not put on a big, white dress, invite your nearest and dearest and make a binding vow to someone you just clapped eyes on barely five minutes before?

Only two things are certain….

• You’ll know more from someone’s Flirtify profile than these contestant will by the time they’re husband and wife
• We will be watching - 9pm Thursday on Channel 4

17:09

We understand sending that all-important first message out into the ether can be a daunting experience. You don’t want to get it wrong, you don’t want to say something silly, then there is the risk of not receiving a reply - it’s a lot of pressure and you haven’t even started yet!

But instead of worrying try our tricks that will have you both staring at your screens just waiting for the next message. 

Thumbs at the ready…

Begin with a joke 

A sense of humour is one of, if not the most desirable trait in a partner, and something we all know goes a looooong way.

If you can make someone smile while they’re reading your message they won’t be able to resist to reply – use emojis and try relating your message to something in their profile to show you’ve taken the time to read their profile too. 

Give a compliment

Who doesn’t like to be complimented? If you like someone’s profile picture let them know  but be careful not to go too far. Try to avoid; ‘You’re the most beautiful person on earth’ and ‘How you doing hottie?’!

 

If you think a compliment is too much why not use what’s going on in the picture and ask about where they are, or what they are doing – it’s a great conversation starter and it’ll give you an insight into things they enjoy. 

Don't Ctrl C, Ctrl V

You may not think so, but receive a few copy and pasted messages and they will soon stand out – for all the wrong reasons. 

It doesn’t feel genuine and is certainly never going to be met with an exciting response. This may sound a little harsh but if you don’t have the time to start a conversation and be interested in what you’re saying why should someone else be? Be genuine, it'll be worth it in the long-term. 

Make an effort

At best, bad grammar, text speak and spelling mistakes are really distracting. When mistakes jump off the page, it makes it harder to focus on what you’re saying. 

Messages like: ‘How u doin hun?’, ‘How’s you?’ or ‘Hey Sexy;)’ probably won’t get you much attention so take your time and check your message - would you like to receive it?

Things in common

People put a lot of effort into creating their profile, read it and you could find out their interests, if you have similar taste in music, animals, travelling or food – whatever the subject try to include it in your message. This will show you’re really interested and also takes the awkwardness out of replying as you already have a topic to talk about.  

Don’t worry

Yes it’s the first message but it is only a message - don’t let any doubts you may have stop you starting something amazing!

Get started today and keep your phone handy for lots of responses.

Texting someone special? Try our top 10 tips to texting before and after dates

13:38

A recent study revealed that up to 37.8% of us meet our other halves at work, so if we assume the life of a professional tennis player is busier  and more demanding than our average Tuesday, it’s not surprising so many players look for love court side.

Here are ten tennis romances – vote for your favourite!

BJORN BORG AND MARIANA SIMIONESCU

Bjorn Borg also known as ‘the sexy swede’ won 11 Grand Slams between 1974 and 1981. His headband or the way he served - it’s not clear what had women falling at his feet but whatever it was there was barely a woman in the world who didn’t dream of being Mrs Borg. 

Shortly before his retirement in his mid-twenties, Borg married Romanian tennis player Mariana Simionescu. Unfortunately it wasn’t to last, the couple divorced in 1984.

GAEL MONFILS AND DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA

A little more recently, flamboyant French star Gael became world no.7 in 2011 and one of the most entertaining tennis players in history. He dated the Slovakian ‘pocket rocket’ Dominika Cibulkova but they split after a short time. Probably for the best as she is now engaged to Miso Navara (another tennis player) while he has been dating (and is rumored to be engaged to) French student Chelsea Altman.

FERNANDO VERDASCO AND ANA IVANOVIC

Fernando Verdasco and Ana Ivanovic had a short but stormy love story and in 2009 split for good. It seems to have been an unhappy decision because they were reported to have stopped speaking to each other and avoided each other at tournaments.

ROGER AND MIRKA FEDERER 

Yes she was a tennis player too – before a foot injury Mrs Federer was ranked no.76 in the world. The pair met in 2000 at the Sydney Olympics, married 9 years later and had twin girls the following year. Twin boys arrived in 2014 to complete their happy family - aww!

LLEYTON HEWITT AND KIM CLIJSTERS

At 19 Australian superstar Lleyton began dating Belgian player Kim Clijsters - he became the youngest ever world number 1 the year after.

The couple announced their engagement in 2003, but by late 2004 Kim was left heartbroken when Lleyton called off their wedding. On a happy note though, the pair both married other people within five years of the split – neither of them tennis players!

SERENA WILLIAMS AND PATRICK MOURATOGLOU

Well we didn’t see this coming! We still don’t think it’s ever been confirmed, although pictures rarely fib – yes the relationship between the world’s best female tennis player and her French coaching assistant has become more than just business.

Oh the mystery - it’s positively romantic in itself. 

JIMMY CONNORS AND CHRIS EVERT

Jimmy was known for being volatile while Chris icy cold - no one would have put these two together! Perhaps two such strong characters were always destined to clash.

GRIGOR DIMITROV AND MARIA SHARAPOVA

Serena Williams warned Maria that Grigor had “a black heart.” So it’s not surprising not many gave their romance much of a chance. But thankfully they fell in love and the couple helped each other cope with the relentless pressures of being a top ten tennis players.

They have often had to put up with rumours of a split, but they’re still together and have proved over the last two years that a romance even in the most intense of spotlights can work.

ANDRE AGASSI AND STEFFI GRAF  

Andre is so flamboyant and Steffi so clinical so no one expected this romance – seems opposites can attract.

They had toured together for more than a decade, then just before giving up tennis they fell in love. They married in 2001 and now have two children in Las Vegas, proving that some tennis romances really can go the distance.

 

Last but certainly not least is... ANDY MURRAY AND KIM SEARS

Though Kim isn’t a tennis player Andy Murray didn’t have to go far when the pair began dating all those years ago – Kim is the daughter of British professional tennis coach Nigel Sears so has grown up around the game. Despite a rocky patch or two, the pair were married this spring in Dunblane, Scotland. 

Who is your favourite? 

They didn’t all end happily, but when it comes to drama, intrigue, tears, happiness and pure romance, we think we have the most romantic couples the game of tennis has produced. 

There are really only two things left to say - 
1.Start your very own romance with us right here at Flirtify, and
2. GOOD LUCK ANDY!

 

14:11