Every Monday morning half (51%) of British workers are suffering from a psychological condition called ‘Weekendvy’ according to a new study out today.
‘Weekendvy’ is occurring in all working environments across the country and strikes when one in two adults is asked by their colleagues “How was your weekend?” In response these workers are being economical with the truth in order to be perceived as an interesting, adventurous and a fun loving individual.
The study commissioned by Travelodge, which operates 552 hotels, surveyed 2,000 workers across the UK, to investigate how the nation spends its weekend in today’s modern, fast pace world.
Key findings revealed the pressure is intense amongst colleagues to secretly compete on, who has had the most fabulous weekend. Interestingly over a third (35%) of adults think that their friends and work colleagues are having more fun than they are at the weekend – which is why they are resorting to fibbing about their weekend activities.
Listed below are the top ten most popular weekend activities Britons will pretend they have done - when they haven’t
1. Paint the town red on Saturday night with their partner or friend
2. Visit a well-known restaurant
3. Participate in an adventurous activity
4. Took a UK city break
5. Took a romantic break - when really they just re-told of an old holiday
6. Went to the theatre
7. Took a shopping break
8. Stayed in a hotel
9. Went to the cinema
10.Did a course or a cookery class
The research also revealed that the increasing popularity of social media is a key contributor to adults suffering from ‘Weekendvy”, as over a quarter (26%) of British adults are regularly fibbing on their social media channels, in a bid to look more interesting.
Looking cool is so important to a fifth (20%) of adults polled, that their weekend plans are actually governed by what they can upload onto their social media accounts.
A staggering 47% of competitive adults admitted to lying on social media when they see their friends and colleagues doing something interesting.
Other findings revealed that 56% of men surveyed are more likely to fib about their weekend plans on social media compared to women at 38%.
Nearly half (45%) of men admitted that their social deceitfulness occurs when they see their friends or colleagues posting fun weekend activities. In contrast 57% of women confessed that they lie across their social apps as they feel pressurised by their friends and celebrities to portray they are living a more glamorous lifestyle like the Kardashians.
Corinne Sweet, Psychologist and Author said “It’s not surprising that Britons are suffering from Weekendvy as social media is making us live almost two lives, one online and the other in reality – which is causing individuals to compete against each other. The pressure is high to show that we are living a glamorous lifestyle like the Kardashians, that’s all about travelling, partying, dining out, having sex and endless fun. Therefore we are constantly comparing ourselves and Weekendvy kicks in because we don’t want to be lagging behind our friends and colleagues.”
“It’s boring to admit that we actually spend our weekends doing paperwork, household chores, gardening childminding or even watching box sets. Therefore it’s easy to create smokescreens by creating a 'false self' and false selfies to show we are having fun, when we are not. However with some clever planning we can inject some real fun and relaxation time into our weekends.”
Further research findings revealed that Scousers are the biggest Weekendvy offenders with 66% of workers from Liverpool fibbing in the work place about their weekend activities. In second place are Yorkies with 65% of workers admitting to being economical with the truth on a Monday. Geordies are the third worst offenders in the country when it comes to suffering with Weekendvy with 60% of adults in the workplace admitting to telling tales to their colleagues about their weekends.
The table below shows where you can find the biggest Weekendvy offenders across Britain:
Location
|
% of local workers |
% social media fibbers
|
1. Liverpool | 66% | 20% |
2. York | 65% | 31% |
3. Newcastle | 60% | 19% |
4. Leeds | 58% | 40% |
5. Birmingham | 57% | 37% |
6. Coventry | 55% | 8% |
7. Manchester | 54% | 21% |
8. Oxford | 53% | 22% |
9. Cardiff | 52% | 35% |
10.Glasgow | 51% | 18% |
Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge Spokeswoman said: “Our research has highlighted that it’s high time, we reclaim our weekends and put an end to Weekendvy. Why fib when it’s so easy to turn travel dreams and fictional socialising into a reality. With some clever planning you can easy create real life content. We have over 500 UK Travelodge hotels and rooms from £29, so you can take regular weekend breaks and impress your work colleagues with your spontaneous and adventurous nature.”
Further research findings revealed that the stresses of modern living is certainly taking its toll, as 30% of Britons reported that they are often too tired to enjoy the weekend and regularly spend their weekends catching up on sleep. A further 28% of adults reported that they wished they could have more fun on the weekend.
Listed below are Travelodge’s top three tips to help Britons reclaim their weekend:
1. Jot down a plan for the weekend - By creating a plan, shift weekend chores to weekdays, so that you can make time for fun at the weekend.
2. Get out of bed at the same time as weekdays – Don’t lose half the day under the duvet, create more time at the weekend by getting up early and seizing the day!
3. Get Up & Go – Be spontaneous and explore the UK. Leave early on Saturday and return Sunday evening - can be an inexpensive short break. It can be the tonic that you need and there is so much to explore across Britain. .
For further information, please contact:
The Travelodge Press Office
T: 01844 35 8703
E: pressoffice@travelodge.co.uk
Notes to editors:
The survey was conducted in October 2017 with 2,000 British adults.