Brits appear to like any excuse to have an argument, according to Netvouchercodes.co.uk. The study revealed the 50 things that get their blood boiling and often result in an argument with their partners.
With the recession in full swing, arguments about money were not surprising, which were followed closely by kids, religion, sport and politics.
More surprisingly, the smaller and supposedly insignificant things such as not replacing an empty toilet roll, buying bread or leaving the bins out on bin day seemed to cause tensions to rise too.
Several factors involving children seemed to be the precursors of a fight in the family home with triggers such as homework help, reading time, giving them a lift back from a friend’s house or deciding which school they will attend.
In a house where both partners work household chores are the last thing on the mind, so a messy house, forgetting to make the bed, or cleaning can also be the foundation of a blowout.
It was found that some couples like to have an argument so that they could cure their boredom and reap the benefits of making up afterwards.
One respondent said: “If I’ve had a busy day then even the smallest thing can tip me over the edge, like my husband not putting the loo seat down or my kids leaving me their empty cups to take through to the kitchen. It’s pathetic really and I feel such a fool afterwards.”
Another said: “Family events are always the cause of rows in our house – whose family are we spending Christmas Day with, are we going to the other’s on Boxing Day. I feel like booking two weeks in the sun and escaping Christmas completely.”
A male respondent added: “When it comes to football and sticking up for my team, I become really argumentative. I’ve supported my local side since I was a kid and still go to all their home games now. Admittedly some weekends they are absolutely useless, but that doesn’t mean I want people to say that to my face, especially if they’re not diehard fans.”
A spokesman for Nevouchercodes.co.uk said: “Sometimes a good argument is needed to clear the air and get things on an even keel. There are always going to be triggers for tiffs, like money and the kids but I have to admit, some of the more trivial ones did raise a smile.
“Problem is, at some point or another I’m sure we’ve all argued about most of the things on the list however trivial they may seem. Maybe, every now and again we need to take a step back and think about what we’re about to say before we say it.”
Here are the 50 things we row about in no particular order:
- Money
- Kids
- Sex
- Politics
- Religion
- Sport
- Directions
- What to watch on telly
- What to have for dinner
- Household chores
- Garden chores
- Putting the bin out
- Washing the car
- Where to holiday
- What music / radio station to listen to
- Who’s turn to take the kids to a party
- Filling the car with petrol
- In laws
- Family events
- Weekly shop
- Turn to cook
- Football
- Clothes
- Pepsi ‘v coke
- Cars
- iPhone v others
- Mac v PC
- Kindle v book
- Pets
- What to do on days out / days off
- Recycling
- Putting the loo seat down
- Bored
- Where to eat out
- Which takeaway to order
- Homework
- Not replacing loo roll
- Getting out of the house in the morning
- Buying the bread / milk
- Booking time off
- Who’s turn to do the work coffee run
- Leaving the house in a mess
- Picking the kids up from school / friend
- Picking children’s school
- Who’s turn to wash up
- Leaving socks / pants on the floor
- Not cleaning the bath / shower
- Picking presents
- Snoring
- Poor manners