We've been joking about "Netflix and chill" for a while now, but there's no denying that Netflix can have a serious affect on relationships. In honor of Valentine's Day, the streaming service did some research on how television and movies affect those dating or in a relationship and found some pretty interesting data. According to their results, 58 percent of those surveyed have added TV shows or specific movie genres to their dating or social media profiles to attract a potential suitor. Similarly, 25 percent of respondents said that they find people more attractive based on what they watch, which Netflix calls "show goggles." Of course, that just makes you curious about what TV shows people find most "attractive."
It's a valid question, especially since this study reveals that your favorite shows might play a bigger role in dating then you would have guessed. In fact, Netflix reports that 1 in 10 people surveyed agreed to go out with someone based solely on the show choices listed on their social media or dating profile. While which specific TV series people added to their own profiles to seem more attractive wasn't collected, the genres were, and it turns out that comedy was most frequently used in an attempt to boost one's profile. On the flip side of that, the top three genres people found most attractive on a profile were sitcoms, serialized dramas, and classic TV shows.
Now you have to wonder what exactly makes those genres so appealing. To me, it seems the reason may simply be because they're so common. Sitcoms like The Office, Parks and Recreation, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and more are shows that many people have seen and are easy to create a connection over. By sharing that you're a fan of these shows on social media or a dating profile, it seems chances are you'll find other people who are fellow fans. The same goes for shows like Breaking Bad, Orange is the New Black, and House of Cards, which would be more categorized as "serialized dramas." These are some of the most talked about, acclaimed shows out there, so finding someone who's tuned in may be easier than for a lesser known show. As for classic TV shows, who doesn't love series like Gilmore Girls and Friends? Honestly, you might not want to go on a date with someone who doesn't like Friends.
Netflix also defines “show goggles,” which is a psychological phenomenon resulting in a drastic change in perceived attractiveness based on taste in TV show. So, maybe you're not super into someone at first, but then you hear that they've also marathoned Game of Thrones and suddenly, they're more attractive to you. As previously mentioned, according to Netflix, this happens with 25 percent of the people surveyed.
It is interesting to think that your viewing tendencies can correlate to your relationship, since I think many of us often use TV and movies as a way to escape the annoying aspects of dating. But, Netflix is just as involved in your relationship as your significant other is from that first swipe to engagement — 17 percent of respondents said they will not share their Netflix password until they get engaged. Now that's commitment.
Images: Netflix (2)
