Revealed: The ideal time to spend catching up with old friends (to allow you to discuss family, friendship group gossip, work news, relationships and holidays)
The ideal length of time to chat with a friend in Britain’s increasingly busy world has been revealed to be 84 minutes.
A survey found that one hour and 24 minutes is the right amount of time to discuss family, friendship group gossip, work news, relationships and holidays.
But 73 percent want more opportunities to meet up with friends, while 69 percent say they want easier, less pressure-inducing ways to stay connected.
Only 14 percent of 2,000 people surveyed say it could take four hours for them to catch up.
More than 40 percent blame busy schedules as the biggest obstacle to regular socializing. 30 percent talk about a lack of energy after work, while 20 percent complain that travel time is a hindrance.
Socializing is also becoming more formal; 64 percent say meeting up with friends now feels like an organized event rather than an everyday occurrence.
Despite these challenges, most people believe that frequent, brief interactions are actually better for maintaining friendships.
Almost two-thirds (62 percent) said regular moments of connection help maintain relationships more effectively than occasional large-scale events.
A survey found that one hour and 24 minutes is the right amount of time to discuss family
According to research by beer brand Madri Excepcional Limon, almost half of those surveyed believe socializing has become more structured than it was five years ago, with only 30 percent arranging socializing within three days.
Meanwhile, four in ten (40 percent) admitted to going on an impromptu date for more than a month, and one in ten said they couldn’t even remember the last time they went on a date.
And three in five respondents (61 percent) admitted they miss the days when socializing was more convenient and effortless.
Madri’s Anca Secara said: ‘Our research shows almost three-quarters of Brits want more casual get-togethers with friends, as well as big, planned get-togethers.
‘And this feeling only increases in the summer months; 67 percent say hot weather makes them more susceptible to impromptu plans.’
