Study reveals surprising intimacy preference for Gen Z
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Not everyone will be seeing eye to eye with this apparently popular intimacy preference.
A new report from online eyewear retailer EZContacts says that, when it comes to prospective partners, Gen Z daters prefer to look, not touch.
Eye contact is all the rage, among 59% of 20-somethings who feel that’s more intimate than being physical, per the September 2025 research.
Researchers polled 1,000 adults, including singles and those in relationships, to learn about the impact that eyes, and eyewear, have on romantic connections.
“Eye contact can be a sign of confidence or flirtation — but it’s also deeply personal,” study authors wrote. “It can spark a connection faster than conversation and create a sense of closeness in a first meeting.”
Researchers found that 62% of female Gen Zers appreciated eye-to-eye seduction over touching, which was more than the 55% of male Gen Zers who preferred looking over touching.
Experts say young daters are craving genuine, real-life experiences.
“Meeting in person and looking into each other’s eyes can be a way people can build trust in connection,” the analysts said, “cutting through the online noise of insincerity.”
Additionally, experts found that the majority of daters have an affinity toward folks who sport specs.
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A notable 58% of respondents said glasses make someone “more attractive,” the poll said, finding that 69% of men and 46% of women are attracted to the hardware.
Glasses featuring the “classic black” frame exude “seriousness and confidence,” making them the “go-to choice for a pragmatic, put-together image,” the analysts said, and bold, colorful frames, conversely, signify playfulness and extroversion.
“That’s not just a sign of acceptance,” the experts said, “it’s a reversal of decades-old media tropes where TV, movies, and celebrities depicted glasses as a hindrance to beauty or confidence.”
