Relationship advice is abundant, but which words of wisdom truly resonate? In a recent survey, we asked Americans to share in their own words the best guidance they’ve received or given on dating, relationships, breakups, and marriage. We then asked in a followup survey whether some of the most frequently mentioned tips — as well as others pervasive in popular culture — ring true.
The piece of relationship advice most likely to be endorsed by Americans — out of 30 included in the poll — is that actions speak louder than words: 92% say this is definitely or probably true. At least 80% believe each of the following: that when people show you who they are, believe them; that true love stands the test of time; and that you should never go to bed angry.
We also asked people who are currently in relationships to rate the quality of their relationship. While there were not huge differences in the advice endorsed by people who say their relationships are excellent or good and those who say their relationships are less than excellent or good, there was one notable distinction: People with a higher self-rated relationship quality were more likely to say it's true that you just know when it’s the right person.
Men and women are equally likely to believe most of the relationship advice included on the poll, though there are some exceptions. Men are more likely than women to endorse the adage that half your age plus seven is the youngest you should date (31% vs. 20%). They are less likely than women to say that you should never sleep with someone on the first date (55% vs. 77%) or that when people show you who they are, believe them (79% vs. 88%).
Americans age 45 and older are more likely than younger adults to endorse the views that true love stands the test of time (85% vs. 74%), that the best relationships start as friendships (80% vs. 69%), and that love at first sight is real (62% vs. 52%). Compared to their younger counterparts, older adults are less likely to believe that couples should move in together before marriage (45% vs. 61%), that the person who cares less has more power in the relationship (35% vs. 48%), and that the way to someone's heart is through their stomach (31% vs. 44%).
Related:
- What do Americans think are the keys to a successful relationship?
- How often do Americans go on dates? Not as often as they’d like
- Americans’ relationship with romantic comedies: It’s complicated
- Love, sex, and heartbreak: Commonalities in American relationship experiences
- Do Americans stay friends with their exes?
- How and why do American couples argue?
- What are Americans’ love languages?
- Are single people discriminated against? Many say yes
— Carl Bialik contributed to this article
See the results for this YouGov poll
Methodology: The poll was conducted online among 2,167 U.S. adult citizens on two separate surveys from January 28 - February 3, 2025 and January 29 - February 1, 2025. A random sample (stratified by gender, age, race, education, geographic region, and voter registration) was selected from the 2019 American Community Survey. The sample was weighted according to gender, age, race, education, 2024 presidential vote, 2020 election turnout and presidential vote, baseline party identification, and current voter registration status. 2024 presidential vote, at time of weighting, was estimated to be 48% Harris and 50% Trump. Demographic weighting targets come from the 2019 American Community Survey. Baseline party identification is the respondent’s most recent answer given around November 8, 2024, and is weighted to the estimated distribution at that time (31% Democratic, 32% Republican). The margin of error for the overall sample is approximately 3%.
Image: Getty
