New research from Too Good To Go suggests that impressing a date in Dublin has far less to do with extravagant gestures and far more to do with simple, respectful behaviour — starting with putting your phone away. The social impact company, which connects people with local businesses to save unsold food from going to waste, has released new findings showing that the capital’s daters are becoming increasingly values-driven, environmentally mindful and sharply attuned to basic manners.
According to the nationally representative survey of 1,000 Irish adults, conducted by Amárach Research in October 2025, being rude to restaurant staff is now the ultimate red flag. Nearly 75% of singles in the capital said poor behaviour towards waiters would instantly turn them off a prospective partner, making it one of the strongest deal-breakers in modern dating. Almost as damaging is spending too much time on your phone, with close to 70% of Dublin daters calling it an immediate negative on a first date.
The findings highlight a shift away from traditional ideas of what makes someone attractive. Instead of focusing on flashiness or curated online personas, singles in the capital are paying far more attention to how a person treats those around them. With so many first dates taking place in cafés, restaurants and bars across the city, manners are now a defining feature of romantic compatibility.
While rudeness is widely rejected, emotional openness is very much welcomed. The survey shows that 64% of Dublin daters view emotional availability as a key green flag. In an era where people are increasingly honest about their mental health and communication styles, showing a bit of vulnerability is seen as a major positive. Meanwhile, a simple love of dogs also goes a surprisingly long way — 41% of singles said they’d be more inclined towards a partner who genuinely likes dogs.
Environmental awareness is another area where dating expectations are evolving. Too Good To Go’s research reveals that sustainability is becoming a meaningful part of romantic decision-making. Around 60% of all daters said that sharing similar sustainability values creates a positive impression when meeting someone new. For women in particular, avoiding food waste carries unexpected weight: 34% said they would be impressed by a date who makes a conscious effort not to waste their meal.
Among younger daters, these attitudes are even more pronounced. A quarter — 25% — of Gen Z respondents aged 18 to 24 said that a lack of shared sustainability values is a fundamental deal-breaker, suggesting that Ireland’s youngest adults see environmental responsibility as a central part of how they choose partners, not just a bonus trait.
Speaking about the findings, Machaela O’Leary, Sales Manager at Too Good To Go Ireland, said: "The dating rulebook is being rewritten right before our eyes. Being emotionally open, polite to staff, and demonstrating an interest in sustainability and the planet are seen as real positives by potential partners, while rudeness or fiddling with your phone are major no-nos."
She added that small gestures signal more about a person’s character than they might realise. "Sharing food or preventing a meal from going to waste are ways of demonstrating that there is more to your character than simply what appears on the surface."
The research forms part of Too Good To Go’s United Against Food Waste campaign, which aims to spotlight the environmental impact of avoidable waste and encourage more people to adopt low-effort behaviours that make a tangible difference. The company — known for helping cafés, bakeries and restaurants sell leftover food at a discount — is framing dating as another arena where thoughtful actions matter.
For anyone planning a date in Dublin in the coming weeks, the conclusions are clear. Forget grand gestures: being present, treating staff kindly and showing a bit of care for the planet may be the most impressive traits of all.
