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Unrealistic Dating Standards
What makes dating standards unrealistic? What census-style data can and cannot tell you, and how to check your own checklist.
Unrealistic is relative
A preference is statistically scarce when few people meet it. Whether that is “unrealistic” depends on your timeline and willingness to search.
Census tools estimate eligibility, not chemistry, timing, or mutual interest.
Use numbers as context
Compare your stack to common benchmarks: >5% broad, 1–5% selective, <1% hard mode. Then decide deliberately.