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In a recent survey done on 2,000 Brits, the overall stats show that of the 104 social engagements Brits agree to each year, only 52 are kept
According to a new study conducted by Mentos, while the average Brit makes 104 social arrangements per annum, he or she actually only turns up to half of them. Revealing the extent to which Britain has become a ‘cancellation nation,’ one out of three respondents admitted to saying yes to an invite, whether or not they intended to go.
The majority of the population (or 49 percent) claimed they are usually too tired to go out, with a further 36 percent confessing they would simply rather stay in. A staggering one in 10 (7%) claimed they would avoid a night out if their favourite TV programme was on.
And it would appear honesty is not the best policy for the majority of Brits, with almost 60 percent claiming it is easier to make an excuse to get out of something. Topping the list of excuses was sickness—with 60 percent of surveyors saying they regularly use illness as a way out of an arrangement.
Other excuses include “I double booked” (20 percent), “I thought it was a different day” (18 percent), and “the children are poorly” (15 percent). One in 10 Brits have even wheeled out the old “I’m waiting for a delivery” line. The ease at which Brits are now able to cancel was revealed as the main reason for the ‘cancellation nation’ label.
Meanwhile, 80 percent claimed that it is easier to cancel in the present day and age compared to in the past because of email, text, and messaging apps. The research also indicates that one is most likely to blow out work colleagues (54 percent), with friends (28 percent) next in line.
“Connecting with family and friends is so important in life, as is building new friendships,” said a spokesperson for Mentos, who carried out the research involving 2,000 Brits. Often there can be some nervousness when meeting new people, but the candy giant recommends that one take the first step as it could lead to a great friendship.
“We have to remember that stepping out of our comfort zone and making fresh connections is good for our physical and mental well-being. We need to make the time to say yes because the simple act of getting out and connecting with new and old friends is so important,” said Dr. Linda Papadopolous, Chartered Counselling & Health Psychologist and Associate Fellow at the British Psychological Society.
Further findings suggest that one in three Brits (30 percent) will easily say yes to anything to avoid hurting friend’s feelings. However, the report also interestingly indicated that around six in 10 (62 percent) do feel guilty when they cancel.
Overall, the stats show that of the 104 social engagements Brits agree to each year, only 52 are kept. Finally, three percent said they have even cancelled on their other half with text message being the preferred method of cancellation at 49 percent.
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