Loathe at first sight! Almost half of Britons say talking about former flame is worst dating gaffe

It may seem obvious that if you want a first date to go well you shouldn’t talk about your ex.

But it seems a surprising number of insensitive souls do just that.

The faux pas tops a list of guaranteed passion-killers when potential lovers size each other up.

Almost half of single Britons (46 per cent) said a prospective partner had ruined the night – and any chance of a second one – by bringing up a former flame.

Almost as many (39 per cent) had been turned off by bad table manners during a meal, while more than a third (35 per cent) said someone who focused on talking about themselves and their life had proved a big mistake and ruined a promising rendezvous.

These terrible trysts are among ten of the worst romantic encounters revealed by researchers.

The fast-food firm Sushi Daily asked 2,000 UK adults about the clangers they had experienced to come up with the findings.

Romy Miller, its global brand director, said: ‘It may come as no surprise to learn you are on much safer ground discussing the cuisine at the restaurant or pub you are meeting in than talking about former partners or even yourself.’

She added: ‘Politics can be a minefield as well – though bad table manners and being rude to staff seem certain to destroy any chance of a second date.’

Watching someone being rude or offhand with serving staff was off-putting for 31 per cent of first daters, while being stuck with someone who talked with their mouth full had made 29 per cent pull up the drawbridge on any prospective relationship.

More than a quarter (27 per cent) also said those who looked at their mobile phone throughout the date had angered them and made the meeting uncomfortable.

More than a quarter (27 per cent) also said those who looked at their mobile phone throughout the date had angered them and made the meeting uncomfortable

Some 23 per cent said someone not being able to take a joke was a big turn-off, and the same percentage claimed there was no way back if someone was obviously lying about their age.

Casually taking food off the other person’s plate was also ranked as a romantic no-no by 14 per cent.

A key clanger was discussing politics, with more than one in ten (nine per cent) saying the resulting conversation had become frosty and awkward.

A survey last August recorded similar results – with a couple of exceptions. Being late for the date was a red flag for 17 per cent in the poll by CasinoGuardian.