A poll of 2,080 adults in a relationship or who are open to dating found 78 per cent of under 28s wish they could meet their true love more traditionally, like people did in the olden days.
With 74 per cent of younger adults saying today’s swiping culture lacks the charm of old-school gestures, from handwritten notes to unexpected acts of affection.
Almost one in 10 (nine per cent) Gen Z adults went as far as to say they resent it, but 46 per cent just don’t know any other way to find love.
The study was commissioned by Trü Frü, to launch its nationwide Trü Love Hotline, allowing people to surprise someone special with a delivery of its strawberries in white & milk chocolate in time for Valentine’s Day.
A spokesperson for the frozen snack brand said: “Dating can be tough, even for the younger generation who are only just starting out on their journey to find love.
“Whether it’s the thought of putting everything out there only for it not to work out, or being too scared to say how you really feel, there are lots of reasons to think you should stay single.”
The study also found 83 per cent admitted to being too embarrassed to approach someone they like in person or express their true feelings.
And 21 per cent often ditch the apps but then download them again in just a matter of days.
A third (34 per cent) believe ‘romance is dead’, with 44 per cent wishing unexpected acts of affection were more common in today’s dating world.
But four in 10 would love to receive a surprise bunch of flowers, 35 per cent would prefer a handwritten letter and 22 per cent love the idea of being given chocolate covered strawberries.
It also emerged 50 per cent believe it’s harder to find true love nowadays than in the pre-digital era, with 74 per cent wishing they could go back to this time so they could experience timeless, romantic gestures such as these.
Despite growing up in a world surrounded by tech, Gen Z would still prefer to be asked out by someone in person (62 per cent) – rather than text (19 per cent) or social media (six per cent).
It emerged 24 per cent of all those polled, via OnePoll.com, would opt for a spontaneous romantic gesture over a planned one (seven per cent).
With 51 per cent claiming small, thoughtful acts of love mean more to them than grand, over-the-top ones.
Trü Frü’s hotline opens today and tomorrow between 10am-5pm via WhatsApp on +44 7404 104971 and the surprise delivery will arrive on their doorstep with a personalised secret admirer note.
A spokesperson for the frozen fruit brand added: “Romance might be ‘dead’ for some people but a small gesture, such as surprising them with their favourite snack, can go a long way to finding true love.
“If you don’t know how to tell someone you care or you’re scared to say how you really feel, we’re here to play cupid and spread the love with the gift that they can’t say no to.”
