Not just one's behaviour or political inclination, but a person's phone preference can also be a deal-breaker on the first date. According to a survey of 1,502
singletons conducted by a company that helps customers sell unwanted tech items in the US, how you maintain your phone, the ringtone you have set and the phone cover you choose can impact your date's impression of you. The study states that for more than a third of men, a phone with a damaged screen is a major put off. A damaged screen, the study says, might point to the fact that the phone owner is either financially not in a secure space or is not careful enough. Whether you pick a phone for its functionality or its looks, one thing is constant – it says a lot about you, which is why many millennials are quick to judge a person based on the type of phone he/she owns and the accessories they choose. And not just in the US, Indian youngsters are also particular about their date’s phone. Here, we take a closer look at how millennials tend to decode their date’s personality by his/her smartphone.
From wallpaper to ringtone - what your phone says about you
A picture is worth a thousand words, especially if it is your wallpaper. A peek into your phone screen can reveal a lot about your preferences. As Kamna Chibber, head of Mental Health and Behavioural Science department at a Gurgaon hospital tells us, "What you set as the phone's wallpaper is what you want to see the moment you pick up the device. It can be a motivational quote, a picture of your pet or a view of the city you recently visited. It is something that pleases you, so it becomes a source, revealing your likings."
A person's choice of ringtone can also speak volumes about his or her personality. "When I went on my first date with my now girlfiend, I saw the picture of her dog on her phone's wallpaper. On the second date, I gifted a fancy belt for her dog and she was very impressed and we hit it off," says 26-year-old Prakhar Sarasvat from Dwarka.
Why a cracked phone screen can be a deal-breaker
Are you lazy, irresponsible, financially unstable, careless or just too busy? Your phone's broken screen can prompt innumerable questions in your date's mind. As Kamna tells us, "People can see it as signs of laziness or they may assume that the person is simply too busy to get it fixed. It varies from person to person, what they will decipher from it."
Many youngsters also feel that a broken screen might indicate a not-so-stable financial status. Or plain carelessness. And neither trait is desirable in a date, they say. Ria Mitra, a 27-year-old lawyer from Saket, says, "Sometimes back, I went out with a guy I was
dating then and we went to a party with my friends. I was left red-faced when he flashed his mobile to take a group selfie. His screen was cracked beyond redemption and so was my image in front of my friends after that episode!"
The cover-up act!
A blingy case or one with a cartoon character – your phone cover can reveal a lot about your preferences
Your choice of phone cover also tells a lot about your personality. A blingy phone cover might indicate that the phone owner loves high life and fashion whereas a cover with superheroes or book images might reveal a nerdy side. A basic, monochrome cover might point to a sensible and no-nonsense character. "Some people spend hours to pick a phone cover while some go for basic covers and spend little time on selecting them. This can be an indicator of one’s personality or how busy a person is," says Kamna, adding, "But you can't always judge a person by these. A boring phone cover may not mean that the person has a dull personality but simply the fact that he/she is busy to spend time to pick a cover of their choice."
Brand value
The brand of your phone might also determine the kind of date you land up with. As the US study points out, only 65% of
iPhone users would be willing to go on a first date with
Android users. "Gadgets have become a prominent part of our lives and the kind of gadgets we use can reflect our choices and the level of connection that we might have with the other person. It is not the most prominent factor but it does create an impression," says Kamna.
Neha Jain, 25, a resident of GK1, says, "I would definitely judge my date on the basis of phone he uses. Since I am an iPhone user, I would want my date to use, if not an iPhone but a classy, branded phone. It's a status symbol. It will also mean that the person is financially stable."
