Caroline Flack at the Magners Arms
Magners conducted a study to find out what men and women really want from a good night out. They got behaviour specialist Emma Kenny on board to list the ultimate top ten must haves on a night out. She explains why they are important ingredients to a winning session with your mates! Here are the the stats:
- Keep it mobile – 50 % of women and 47% of men won’t leave home without their mobile phone and in fact 16% of men would rather go out with their phone than their best mate
- Take a seat – the UK loves a good sit down when enjoying a Magners, with more of us considering ample seating at a venue to be more important than music or a garden – that’s 37% of women and 24% of men
- Take it outside – as an office-bound nation, 80% of us spend most of our time indoors. The average person needs at least 45 minutes per day outside with access to vitamin D to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Having an outdoor space where you socialise is key to a positive social experience; whatever the weather
- Take your time – 86% of women and shockingly 81% of men take up to two hours to get ready for the perfect night out
- Pink pass – the majority of people Magners spoke to prefer to go out with their mates than their partners - over a quarter of both men and women
- Head South – London was voted the most popular city for socialising with 32% of men and women voting for the capital. Manchester came in second, with Belfast the least popular city to get together in
- Lucky number 7 – over a quarter of the UK believes that 7pm is the perfect time to go out
- Bars for the boys – 44% of men would rather start their night at the pub rather than at home or a restaurant
- Dining out – women prefer to begin the night at a restaurant, with 33% of the vote
- Work it out – Londoners are more likely to socialise with work colleagues than friends
And now it's over to Emma:
Why is a mobile phone an essential part of a night out?
These days love it or hate it, mobile technology plays a huge role in our everyday lives which includes our social lives. Aside from the obvious, a mobile phone can offer you a certain amount of self-protection on a night out; the reality is we have formed a huge reliance on social media and communication immediacy.
Our impatience with what's happening in the world means we want to know exactly what's happening in everyone else's lives no matter where we are. People feel the need to share their social events as it happens through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. part of this is about genuinely wanting to share our lives with those people we know and the other side is we enjoy showing off. The fact that we have a camera in most phones also means we have a chance to capture memories that can remind us of our experiences for the rest of our lives. When partners are out at separate events they can remain connected through text message or a call at points in the night.
Mobile phones have very much become mobile friends.
Why does taking a seat make people happier while socialising?
Humans are animals, we are creatures who like territory. When we go into a pub/bar or club, finding an area that we can sit with our circle of friends creates ownership over an area or a wider environment. It's about safety and comfort (and at my age with my feet it's also very sensible!)
How can meeting up with people outside increase our social time?
Being outside is fantastic for our sense of wellbeing. Having natural light on our skin produces vitamin D and a key feature for our health. Making sure you get fresh air and also taking in your natural environment is a great way of socialising. If we can organise to meet early on, sit outside and have a bite to eat; ideally in beautiful surroundings it impacts on all our senses. The ergonomics of an area inside or out have a huge impact on our psychology.
Many men and women take their time on getting ready for a night out, why do we make the extra effort before going out to socialise?
Ritual is something that is a little lacking in our modern society and yet ritual is very important. Firstly taking care of the way we look, preening and preparing ourselves suggests great self-esteem. Secondly creating a buzz and excitement about the possibilities of what will occur on a night out is exciting. Initiating and extending the experience by taking time getting ready can be very positive.
Men are also demonstrating similar behaviours which means they too want to impress those around them. Society has a strong connection with sex and possible connections. In a way pea-cocking is taking place; planning to meet potential new partners or impressing those we already have.
Why do people prefer to go out with their friends rather than their partners?
Partners spend a great deal of time together and this means that often some time spent apart is essential - reconnecting with great friends is so important in life. Relationships have pressure and certain expectations within them whereas friendships are generally more flexible and less demanding.
Whilst it's fantastic to do things as couples, the general difference in preferred social activities plays a role in whether you go out with your mates or your partner. Stereotypically women like to be able to communicate about their lives and chat in comfortable surroundings without the distraction of loud football games going on behind them. Men often like the option of a few pints watching the game and relaxing and unwinding surrounded by their friends.
Great mates are good for our health. It's true, being with your friends helps reduce stress, makes us feel positive and is a genuinely positive activity. It's not so much that we don't want to be out with our partner, it's simply we regard our limited time with friends as precious.
What is the appeal of London and Manchester for a night out?
Perception is everything - London and Manchester are advertised as places where cool, young and happening people live and go out. This means that people have aspirational beliefs about being there. Immediacy plays a part in our choices, if you think about a big city you also think about the choices it offers.
London and Manchester are pretty much one stop shops for anyone's social life needs and therefore it makes sense that they are the majority of people's choices.
Why do men prefer to go to a bar first and women prefer to go to a restaurant?
Women on the whole go out with their friends to chat, confide and catch up, whatever else happens is a bonus. Going out for a meal is a civilised way to start an evening where lives can be discussed and support offered / given. By starting the evening this way everyone has a chance to unwind.
Men tend to feel that a meal is less necessary and instead go to the pub to have a few pints.
This gender difference is often more to do with social conformity than it is to do with reason. Clearly men enjoy a meal as women do a few pints; it's more about expected behaviour and comfort zones, traditionally guys go and meet friends for a few pints.
What is the appeal of socialising with work colleagues?
Seeing your colleagues as human beings as opposed to managers or receptionists can be a really positive social experience - It's why corporate agencies pay for team building weekends. Enjoying the wind-down after a week of work is a great stress reliever and can enhance the mood of office life. Starting the weekend early with your work mates also has the power of extending your social life.
I believe work should enhance your life and being able to share a social space with your colleagues is a sign of a happy work environment.
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