A friend once declined a date with a kind, funny, clever man because she hated his shoes. Among our group of twentysomethings, this was considered a rational decision. But today's daters are less fastidious, according to a report by Plenty of Fish. The dating app's PR manager, Eva Gallagher, notes a shift in mindset for 2026: singles have a more grounded sense of purpose and are skipping small talk for weighty topics like life goals and dealbreakers.
However, to truly gauge long-term compatibility, couples should discuss seemingly trivial matters early on. For instance, how long before a flight do you arrive at the airport? This can reveal fundamental differences that lead to seething check-in arguments. Similarly, attitudes towards walking out of a bad film are crucial: are you team 'Life's Too Short' or team 'I've Paid My Money'? These approaches don't mix.
Food is another relationship danger zone. A superior pickup line might be: 'What's your Sainsbury's style?' If one partner dashes through the aisles while the other leisurely peruses, it could spell disaster. Then there's the issue of food expiry dates: one person's waste is another's food poisoning risk. Other key topics include when to put up and take down Christmas decorations, and annoyance levels when being spoken to from another room.
These details seem trivial at first but can become recurring irritations. Yet even addressing them head-on can't future-proof a relationship against wildcards. The author's husband of 15 years, for example, believes carrying a takeaway coffee cup is showing off—a stance he is willing to die on. Such quirks may only emerge over time.
