17 June,2026 05:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: File pic
A growing number of singles are embracing "Romantic Minimalism", a relationship trend that focuses on emotional growth, easy yet consistent effort, shared values, and everyday connection, rather than grand gestures and even grander intensity, which are usually unsustainable.
A new survey by Indian dating app, QuackQuack, reveals that approximately 53 per cent of Indian singles from metros and smaller cities prefer "fewer but meaningful" romantic experiences, and more than 38 per cent of participants reported avoiding connections that feel performative.
The app's founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, commented, "What we are seeing now is not a decline in romantic expectations. Users have realized what truly matters; they want genuine commitment and emotional intimacy, which doesn't require grand displays. This trend shows the shift in how young daters today measure romance."
The survey was conducted among 9374 active users between 24 and 35, from metros, suburbs, and rural regions of India. The study analysed the changing intent of romance, relationship expectations, and dating behaviour across India.
The survey shows that Indian singles believe the term 'Romantic Minimalism' is often misunderstood. 41 per cent of participants between 25 and 30 years of age, clarified that the trend is not about settling for less; on the contrary, it is about changing your standards and being selective about what truly matters in building a healthy and sustainable connection. 3785 respondents shared that their form of romantic minimalism is checking depth over display. Pooja (27) said, "When I was younger, gifts and constant validation were enough to make me happy. But now, I am more focused on reliability, consistency in effort, whether our life goals align, and such stuff. I mean, I am over the relationship optics."
Over 22 per cent of Indian singles who are actively dating in metros mentioned burnout from their fast-paced life as one of the prime reasons for romantic minimalism. Adding mixed signals, inconsistency in communication, love bombing one day and ghosting the other, to an already hectic life, never leads to a healthy connection.
The study highlighted the importance of small but regular gestures in modern dating. 55 per cent of female participants shared that regular check-ins mean a lot more to them than sudden grand dates that end with no follow-up. Similarly, 42 per cent of men between 30 and 35 years old confessed that they enjoy spending quality time together more than receiving expensive gifts.
The survey showed that 5,637 dating singles from Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities also shared that a match that remembers small details about them is much more desirable than someone whose love language is a grand display of love, but with no consideration for what the person sitting across them actually prefers. Romantic Minimalism is all about quiet effort; it requires time and work to figure out the tiny things that are unique to you and use those to curate the romantic journey.
The app's insight and survey show that the trend is suddenly picking up speed in 2026, and it points to a changing relationship priority. The study hints that economic pressure, mental health awareness, and a busy schedule are mostly the root causes of this rise. 6 out of 10 Indian dating singles above 27 years of age said they don't associate a good date with expensive spending anymore. The emphasis is more on mutual support and shared experience. Romantic minimalism also allows daters to focus on a stable relationship over an emotionally charged, short connection.
