Two thirds of savvy singles spot a wedding ring in just 20 SECONDS (and women are better at checking than men)

  • More than 80% of women check for rings compared to 70% of men
  • Singles try and suss out relationship status with covert questions
  • Only 37% would ask outright if person they fancy is single
  • 35-54 is age bracket most likely to snoop around for wedding band
  • Almost half will try to end chat if they suss other person is in relationship

By Deni Kirkova

PUBLISHED: 13:17 EST, 11 July 2013 | UPDATED: 18:01 EST, 11 July 2013

Almost three quarters (74 per cent) of daters check for a wedding ring when meeting someone they fancy on a night out.

Most of them (62 per cent) said they do so within the first 20 seconds of meeting them - and some didn't even wait that long. In fact, 39 per cent of those who said they check for a wedding band did so before they even met or spoke to the person in question.

Two thirds (62 per cent) said they check for a ring within the first 20 seconds of meeting them

Two thirds (62 per cent) said they check for a ring within the first 20 seconds of meeting a new person

The research of British singles found women were more likely than men to do this, with 81 per cent saying that they would check for a wedding band compared to 70 per cent of men, while those aged 35 to 54 were the most prone to doing so.  

But this isn't the only 'single signal' Britain's daters are on the lookout for.

 

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More than two thirds (69 per cent) of the 1,000 singles surveyed admitted to asking 'leading questions' to try and find out if the person they're speaking to is single.

Those aged 35 to 54 were the most prone to checking

Those aged 35 to 54 check the most

Asking about 'plans for the weekend' (64 per cent), who they're out with (43 per cent), their living arrangements (43 per cent) and even holiday plans (37 per cent) were all common ways of trying to elicit the required information.

According to match.com users, 45 per cent will try to engineer a premature end to a conversation if they discover the person they are speaking to in a bar is in a relationship.

Meanwhile just 37 per cent would actually ask someone if they were single outright.

The research marks the launch of match's new service, match.com nights, informal get-togethers held in local bars where everyone attending is single.

Kate Taylor, the site's resident relationship expert, says: 'Many of us tend to shy away from asking someone outright whether they are single or not.

'Looking for love online does a lot of the hard work for you, as you can discover someone's relationship status instantly.'

Singles suss relationship statuses by asking about 'plans for the weekend', and 'who they're out with'

Singles suss relationship statuses by asking about 'plans for the weekend', and 'who they're out with'



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In Summer look for the tell tale sign of a white band - you'll find out if they've been wearing a ring whilst sunbathing and then removed it!!!

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What a stupid article ! After being divorced and NOT wearing a ring I was chatted up once or twice a year. After my mums death I wear her wedding ring and get chatted up once or twice a month ! Men have told me they chat me up because I may be up for a one night stand but as i look married they dont expect to have to commit to anything.

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I really don't like wedding rings on men (and not especially on women). When I was young, a man wearing a wedding band might as well as had a tattoo saying "I'm American" on his forehead. I don't if there are facts to support my theory, but I seem to see more married men wearing rings in the the North than I did in the South. Any validity in this?

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" 20 seconds " So what were they doing for the first 18 ?

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I am surprised that many people know what a wedding is - let alone what the ring means - as for 20 seconds where were they looking? Perhaps they went on the dating site when they should have gone to specsavers

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A wedding ring doesn't classify whether someone is single or not. Pointless article!

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I don't even know where the wedding ring goes lol!

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Would be the first thing I look for but means nothing. Someone can easily take a ring off or, the other way round, slip a fake ring on to show they're not interested.

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Many men don't wear a wedding ring. it used to be the norm in the UK when it was regarded as vulgar for men to wear jewellery - but it doesn't mean they're not married...

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Yet another stupid, pointless Femail article!

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