Gentlemen Prefer Freelancing Blondes (Or So They Say)

As I sit at my desk, overlooking my garden and swishing my blonde hair all over the place, I can barely move for the hoards of adoring males that line my path to the kitchen.

And then I wake up.

I don’t think I’ve ever been top of anyone’s ‘perfect partner’ list, probably not even my husband’s (Jen An wasn’t interested, it seems). But perhaps I should have held out a little longer before settling down, because according to a new survey, blonde freelancers are the top dogs (wrong turn of phrase?) when it comes to dating.

Dating service Match has analysed its members dating preferences to build a picture of Britain’s ideal man and woman, and discovered that the self-employed females are now the most sought-after of any profession (ahead of doctors, teachers and architects).

There are many things workers in the so-called ‘gig economy’ love about their jobs; flexibility, being their own boss, taking holidays as and when they please. But it seems we can now add being officially hot to the list of benefits. Right under ‘spending half my life chasing payments’.

A lot has changed since Match last studied the UK’s dating preferences two years ago, particularly among the tastes of the nation’s men. While brunettes were in favour back in 2015, British gentlemen now officially prefer blondes. Men also value softer skills such as speaking a second language over high-earning potential, with a Spanish-speaker being the preference.

Two years ago, British women were on the lookout for a high-powered executive, but their perspectives have also changed, with doctors now seen as the most dateable profession. Aesthetically, however, their tastes haven’t altered; most are still searching for a man with short, dark brown hair, blue eyes and an ‘average’ build. Proving the early bird catches the worm, women stated they would prefer an early bird over a night owl, whilst other desirable attributes include the ability to speak French and being into music.

When it comes to sports, women’s top choice for a man is a swimmer (I always did have a soft spot for Duncan Goodhew…), whilst men are looking for a woman who walks – with trekking coming top of the list. Well, I walk to pick the kids up from school every day – does that count? Both men and women however, are after someone who exercises just 1-2 times a week. Well nobody likes a smug fitty, do they?

Proving that men and women aren’t from totally separate planets, there are lots of attributes that both sexes look for in their search for a partner, according to the research. For both genders, the number one attribute in attraction is a smile followed by nice eyes, and their partner should enjoy is dining out, have an easy-going temperament, not be a fussy eater, and prefer dogs over cats.

Match’s dating expert, Vicki Pavitt says: “What the research shows is a changing preference in what people find attractive but of course preference can’t predict compatibility. The idea of a ‘perfect partner’ doesn’t exist so be open-minded about the types of people that you could be attracted to!”

So what’s your idea of a perfect partner? Comment below or join the conversation on our Facebook page here.