On May 1, Global Love Day is celebrated worldwide. This year, it feels like we need that love more than ever. Couples around the world are dealing with the unique and complex ways COVID-19 has affected their lives and relationships. It's important to remember that although many things we love can't be enjoyed right now, we can still love and enjoy each other.
The teams at The Knot, WeddingWire, Hitched, and Bodas.net have come together to remind the world that even in the midst of a global pandemic, #LoveIsNotCancelled. They've recently released the results of a new study proving just that.
The study is an interesting look at what helps couples across 15 countries feel most appreciated by their partners. In a world where love languages reign supreme, these 15,000 couples give insight into their own experiences. The study shows us all the ways we're demonstrating our love during this stressful time. It may look different than it did a few months back, but it truly shows that love can conquer all.
It's not easy to find the love in our current global situation. The teams at some leading wedding websites have done just that in pursuit of sharing an important message.
"The Knot, WeddingWire, Hitched and Bodas.net worked to uncover how couples across the globe feel most appreciated by their partners, along with how they met and fostered love in their relationships," explains Jeffra Trumpower, senior creative director at WeddingWire.
The biggest takeaway from the survey is that in 14 out of the 15 countries surveyed, couples spending quality time together was the most important factor in feeling appreciated.
Notably, couples in Spanish-speaking countries, including Colombia and Uruguay, were significantly more likely to favor quality time than couples in other countries. In European countries like the UK and France, this wasn't as significant.
"Our Global Love Study shows that in couples around the world (in 14 out of 15 countries surveyed), spending quality time together is the most important factor of making each other feel appreciated," Jeffra noted.
"And while that quality time may look different for couples from different cultural backgrounds — some may value bonding over food, while others enjoy binging their favorite TV show together or exercising outdoors. The true testament to showing your partner appreciation is simply to spend time enjoying each other’s company."
COVID-19 has many couples staying at home, spending more quality time together than ever before. In fact, a recent survey in the US found more than three-quarters of couples have been spending more time together. Nearly half are spending 20 more hours a week together than they were prior.
"While the sudden increase in mandated quality time may seem like it would be overwhelming for couples, we’re actually seeing many relationships — especially those who are engaged or recently married — grow stronger during the COVID-19 pandemic," Jeffra explained. She went on to detail what couples are working on during their time at home.
"These strengthened relationships likely stem from couples working together to stay healthy (40% are spending more time exercising together), focus on their intimacy (29% are being more sexually intimate), and help those in need (34% have helped the elderly or those with health risks)."
When it comes to acts of service, they're most valued in Brazil. Brazilians were twice as likely to appreciate their partner doing something helpful over spending quality time with them. France, the UK, Canada, and the US came in behind Brazil.
Next up is physical touch, and Italian lovebirds lead the way. Across all countries, couples in Italy were most likely to feel that a hug or a kiss was the top sign of appreciation. Argentina, Spain, and other countries where it ranked higher are places where it’s also more common to exchange besos in everyday greetings with friends and family.
The Brits don't value physical touch quite as much. British couples are among the least likely to value physical affection, but they ranked second in appreciating hearing the words "I love you."
All countries agreed that gift giving was the least valued love language.
The survey also found out some interesting facts about how couples meet each other. Meeting online has become more of a trend. The top five countries that report couples meeting online are Canada (28%), the UK (26%), the US (24%), France (20%), and Spain (14%).
In 9 out of 14 countries, couples say they were most likely to meet their partner through friends in common. Italians are most likely to rely on friends to make an introduction. Interestingly, in Brazil, meeting through friends comes just before meeting through a religious institution.
The workplace was another popular way people met "the one." In South and Central American countries Colombia, Peru, and Mexico, at least one-quarter say they met their partner through work. In the UK and Spain, one of the top ways to meet is in a social setting. Both countries show 22% of couples reporting meeting at a pub or concert in their downtime.
Weddings may have been postponed or downsized recently, but it's clear that love is still in the air. Couples are finding new ways to explore their relationship and make their partner feel appreciated. Everyone's journey looks different, but you can't deny love when you see it, and even more so when you feel it.
