Approximately one in five Russians prefers to spend a date at a restaurant, while the majority believe that the man should cover all activities during the meeting. This survey was conducted by Lady Mail.ru, a VK project, among users on the eve of Valentine’s Day, with more than six thousand participants taking part.
Findings showed that 56 percent of respondents go on dates, and half of them do so every two weeks or more often. About 65 percent of Russians feel that the initiative to invite someone on a date belongs to the man, while a third of respondents, 31 percent, think either partner can take the lead.
A large portion, 76 percent, believe the man should pay on the date, while one in five Russians thinks each person should pay for themselves or share the bill equally.
More than 20 percent of Russians prefer dining out for their dates. Walking through parks and scenic city spots ranks second at 19 percent, followed by outdoor activities at 15 percent.
Regional preferences vary: residents of Moscow, Omsk, and St. Petersburg frequent restaurants more often, Vladivostok favors cinema dates, and Kazan and Chelyabinsk enjoy nature outings with their partners.
When asked about memorable dating experiences, 38 percent of men and 34 percent of women cited romantic dates as the most memorable, while 14 percent were inspired by playful sports themed dates.
The survey also found that about a third of Russians celebrate Valentine’s Day, with many organizing romantic gatherings at home and exchanging gifts.
For the holiday, public figures and content creators on VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, and Zen launched thematic challenges to inspire more unusual and imaginative dating ideas. The VK community INSTASAMKA invited followers to share their best date locations, encouraging submissions about the most unique, romantic, and unforgettable spots in their cities. Dasha, together with the voice assistant Marusya, planned to select standout stories and present VK Capsules gift opportunities for an extraordinary date.
Married chefs and food bloggers across Zen, VKontakte, and Odnoklassniki showcased how cooking can accompany romance. Grigory Mosin and his wife Vladlena, Sasha and Olya Belkovich, and the Dessert House team demonstrated how creating delicious dishes can be a shared experience. Subscribing bloggers could suggest their own favorite paired meals, and the authors of the best reviews would receive gift baskets with ingredients for a romantic dinner.
A sports themed celebration called the sportloveyou marathon began on Valentine’s Day through VKontakte and Zen. Prominent figures like German El Clasico, Nikita Nagorny, and Irek Rizaev shared clips and workouts, inviting users to participate. The best posts and confessions could win a prize package worth 100,000 rubles for sports gear and equipment, along with VK Capsules featuring Marusya and a smart watch.
Another initiative united travel enthusiasts across VKontakte stories and OK moments. A network of fifty travel bloggers highlighted scenic, impressive, and romantic journeys and routes, with rewards for subscribers who shared compelling stories.
The survey also noted that arranging dates in Russia has become more expensive, reflecting broader shifts in social activity and budgeting for couples.