Exact time adults spend making decisions every day revealed as HALF go on to regret their choice & dream ‘what if’
THE typical adult spends the equivalent of 23 days a year making decisions – struggling to choose what to have for dinner, what to watch on TV and what to wear.
Research of 2,000 adults found the average day sees them make 16 different choices.
This leads to an average of one hour and 32 minutes spent deliberating each day, despite 48 per cent admitting the task makes them bored.
Some 58 per cent even admitted they experience ‘decision paralysis’ as they labour over the smallest of things.
It also emerged that when it comes to deciding on big debates, Brits have been unable to make a decision on whether the evening meal is called dinner or tea (14 per cent), or if milk goes in tea before or after the water (13 per cent).
And 12 per cent have struggled to decide whether jam or cream goes first on a scone.
The study was commissioned by OREO, which has teamed up with former Premier League referee and Gladiators adjudicator, Mark Clattenburg, to launch the Trust the Twist service.
The decision-making social media tool comes after 74 per cent of those polled said they want to inject more fun into their lives, along with others who long for spontaneity (58 per cent) and playfulness (56 per cent).
Mark Clattenburg said: “I’m known for making decisions in high pressure tournaments, but everyday choices can often feel intense too, so it’s no surprise 14 per cent would like someone else to make the call for them.
“I can’t wait to see what questions we get from the public, whether it’s what to have for tea or what to get your partner for their birthday.”
The research also found, that once settled, 52 per cent often regret their choice and wonder if they should have gone for something else.
But 35 per cent think having to make choices feels mundane, while others feel they are monotonous (29 per cent) and tiring (20 per cent).
The most common decision – what to eat for dinner – was also voted the one people are most bored of making (39 per cent).
Other decisions people were bored of included what to watch on TV (24 per cent), what to wear (17 per cent) and whether to clean the house (17 per cent).
But some of those polled, via OnePoll.com, are already trying more playful ways to make their minds up, including by asking a friend (19 per cent) and flipping a coin (11 per cent).
Sophia Burger, spokesperson for OREO UK at Mondelēz International said: “Day to day life is stressful enough with all of the decisions we have to make.”
Top 10 British debates
Here are the top 10 debates British people have:
- Is it called dinner or tea
- Milk in tea before or after the water
- Jam or cream first in a scone
- Does pineapple belong on pizza
- Is it better to be a morning person or a night owl
- Cats or dogs
- Should red sauce be kept in the fridge or the cupboard
- Red or brown sauce
- What came first the chicken or the egg
- Are socks and sandals acceptable