When it comes to dating, times are changing — and no, I am not talking about the latest app or trendy millennial dating trend. The days in our parents' generation, where you'd meet someone in your local area from the similar cultural background, fall madly in love and obtain married, are fading into extinction.
A recent study from OkCupid found that singles in 2022 are much more available to breaking language barriers to find love. Could this be considered a sign that we are all becoming more and more open-minded when it comes to cross-cultural romance? (If that's the case, I'm all for it.)
OkCupid caused Rosetta Stone to collect nearly 700,000 responses to questions about love, language, and how they intersect, and located that many people don't see speaking different languages as a real barrier with regards to love. Actually, it's quite the alternative: their Language of affection Report proves that singles are increasingly available to relationships with individuals who speak different languages and are available from different countries.
As OkCupid recently wrote within their blog, “Today we discover that individuals are avoiding an insular mindset, instead embracing the idea that getting together with people using their company backgrounds is a great thing – in life in general, as well as in their love lives.”
This global perspective is reflected within the stats. Nearly two-thirds of participants said they might date somebody that doesn't speak their language well. Ninety-two percent of singles surveyed said they're interested in learning another language, and 94% said they're more open-minded after they've visited somewhere new.
When you are looking at dating someone who doesn't speak the same birth language, unsurprisingly it's the younger generation that's enthusiastically leading those. Millennials (18 -36) reportedly would be the most invested in love that crosses borders. While over half of both the 37-53 and 54+ age ranges believe that it is very important for a couple to come in the same country, under one-third of millennials do.
As OkCupid notes, “Millennials are nearly 10% more prone to be open to dating someone who doesn't speak their language well compared to non-millennials. And they're actually the generation that responds most positively to all questions about language and love – from being wondering another language, to be more open-minded after traveling somewhere new.”
But it's not just about willingness up to now someone who speaks another language. The research discovered that generally, speaking another language is recognized as a beautiful asset. When asked when they hire a company who speaks another language more appealing than somebody that does not, 73% of millennials responded “yes,” when compared with 65% of those aged 37-53 and 53% of these 54 and above.
So, exactly what does this mean for future years of internet dating? Here's a few things we can remove from the study and affect our very own love lives.
Geographic and language barriers are wearing down — and that's the best thing.
For many people, finding love is really a process and always come easily. The fact that singles are willing to look beyond traditional linguistic and cultural barriers is a positive thing. If you're not finding what you want in your local area, why don't you expand your search to include further-reaching locales?
As mentioned previously, people who speak other languages are thought more appealing.
If you don't already speak another language fluently, why not use this as an opportunity to improve in your high school Spanish or become familiar with a new language entirely? Should you already speak another language or are curious about learning one, bring it up in your profile. (Your interest in language might just help you meet someone special!)
Don't limit yourself.
If there's anything we are able to take away from this study, it’s that dating is growing rapidly becoming increasingly global. While certain world leaders are trying to build walls and make divisions, millennials are curious about doing exactly the opposite within their dating lives — and that's a good thing! If someone doesn't speak exactly the same language as you perfectly, don't automatically get rid of them like a prospect. Sometimes the most amazing connections happen when you're willing to reach across barriers.