28 July,2026 01:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: File pic
Relationships are tested by many factors, but flooded roads, power cuts, and cancelled dates reveal whether a connection is truly meant to last long-term.
To find out how the monsoon is proving to be an unexpected new dating filter for young singles, Indian dating app, QuackQuack, asked 9,583 users to share their experiences. While a smooth and planned date and uninterrupted interaction allow people to showcase their polished version, the rainy season introduces unpredictability and, with it, the unfiltered and raw side of people when they are constantly tested. The survey highlighted that 38 per cent of daters say the monsoon makes it harder for their matches to be performative and curative in their dating style.
The survey was conducted among Gen Z and Millennial singles from metropolitan and suburban areas of India. The study focuses on the young Indian singles surprisingly new ways of determining compatibility with a match.
The app's founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, commented, "Daters today really don't look at extraordinary moments to comprehend compatibility. Rather, they take note of situations that demand empathy, patience, emotional presence, and understanding. Monsoon makes for the perfect opportunity for singles to find out if their match truly has these qualities."
Millennial Indian singles highlighted that compatibility is more evident during inconvenient situations rather than when things are moving smoothly. Over 5,500 participants between 28 and 35 years of age shared that during this monsoon season, when their plans to meet in real life kept getting postponed, they clearly noticed a huge difference in reaction and action between their matches. While some lost interest after a while, others exhibited what they called a "Plan B" personality. These matches did not disappear when things got difficult; they worked around it and made the plan work.
For instance, Amisha from Kolkata said, "When heavy rain lashed the city, our plan to meet at a certain place was completely disrupted. In fact, the weekends were so rainy. So we compromised and went for virtual dates and then changed the venue, even though my match had to travel more than I did to reach the location. I guess his flexibility truly showed that the connection has potential. And if needed, I'd do the same."
The disruptive rainy weather naturally strips away performative dating, says 53 per cent of GenZ daters from metros and suburbs. There is less scope for social media-worthy pictures and more scope for genuine interactions. 7 in 10 people also said that expensive outfits and posh cafes lose their importance when everyone has to arrive in w et shoes in the end. While waiting out the heavy rain, daters are getting the chance for spontaneous conversations and plans. According to the survey, the majority of daters enjoy these imperfect moments more than heavily curated dates. Jatin, 26, from Mumbai, joked, "Bad weather helps build good connections."
Another important issue emerged in the survey: the modern daters view romance in a very different light than popularly believed. Almost 42 per cent of daters (23 per cent female and 19 per cent male) disclosed that a match who consistently checks if they reached home safely is remembered longer than a match who planned a grand date one day. It shows how young singles love consistency over surprises. Raya from Pune said, "During the rainy season, my match has been checking in to see if I got stuck somewhere, if I need any help, and this is not a one-off thing. He has been doing it since the beginning. It makes me feel that yes, this person is reliable and I can lean on him."
