These findings could well be linked to the fact that our collective libidos also take a major hit once the rosy glow of romance starts to fade. Over half of the Brits surveyed (52%) who were in young relationships admit that they enjoy sexual relations at least three times a week compared to a lowly 16% of those in three year + relationships. This suggests that as we get older together, romance gives way to day to day practicalities, supported by the fact that 55% of busy Brits in longer term relationships admit that they now have to ‘schedule’ their romantic time.
The report also reveals that those in the first flush of love can look forward to an average of three compliments a week from their partners– a figure which falls to an average of a single weekly compliment at the three year high tide mark. Again the prognosis gets worse the longer we stay in relationships, three in ten (31%) of those surveyed that have been in a relationship for five years + admit that they never receive any compliments from their partners.
The study suggests that couples spend less time together now than at any over time in history – the average couple spending a mere 13.9 hours a week in each other’s company. These findings are reflected by the fact that over three quarters (76%) of all the people surveyed responded that ‘individual space was important’ within a relationship. These findings point to the rise of individual activities that many couples are resorting to in order to keep their relationship sparkle. A third (34%) of those who have been seeing their partners for longer than three years have at least two evenings a month defined as a pass or a ‘ticket where it is accepted that they can pursue their own interests. Furthermore 58% of the same sample group enjoy regular holidays without their partners in tow suggesting that the old adage absence makes the heart grow fonder remains true to this day.
On a more general level, a huge 45% of us in a relationship would jump at the chance of a free ‘week off’ our relationships (a Hall Pass) provided our partners were not informed of our activities!
People in Northern Ireland seem to be the biggest arguers, with 11% of people rowing with their partners every day, and one in three will have an argument a few times per week, plus a staggering 90% of them find their partner’s habits irritating after the two year mark. People in the West Midlands seem to be the most lax when it comes to buying new underwear, as 17% have underwear that dates back more than eight years. People in the East Midlands seem to be the least romantic as over 20% of respondents have not received any romantic gesture such as buying flowers, a surprise weekend away or a present, within the last year.
Hall Pass is released on the 11th March at Cinemas Nationwide