Busy Brits Spoil Themselves

Busy Brits are living a 21st Century juggling act and indulging in everyday treats to "offset" the pressures of home, work and busy social lives. According to research released today, almost half of UK adults admit to treating themselves more today than they did ten years ago, because they feel they're working harder.

This research conducted by YouGov and commissioned by Nectar hints that Brits are big on treating themselves with 63% of the population treating themselves at least once a week. Almost a half (41%) also admits to giving into passing fancies and sudden impulses as often as 3 times a week in an attempt to lift their spirits.

Surprisingly sex came far down on the list of favourite treats, in fact for women it came at the bottom of their top 10. Men put sex further up the list but still put it below beer, watching sport and eating curries.

New trend data from the Future Foundation also suggests that guilt about indulgence has fallen over the past 25 years with less than 1 in 3 Brits feeling guilty about treating themselves with impulse buys.

The "offset" culture appears to be the preserve of the young generation, with half of those under 25 (55%) rewarding themselves more than once a week, compared to 31% of people aged 55 or over.

BACKGROUND AND REGIONAL INFORMATION
National

• 63% of the population treat themselves at least once a week
• 41% admit to giving in to passing fancies and sudden impulses as much as 3 times a week
• Less than 1 in 3 Brits feel guilty about treating themselves

BRITAIN'S TOP TREATS
1. Chocolate / cake / sweets - 37%
2. Eating out on a weekday - 22%
3. A curry / Chinese - 21%
4. Pint of favourite beer - 18%
5. Going for coffee - 16%
6. Listening to favourite soundtrack - 16%
7. Morning sex - 14%
8. Watching sport - 13%
9. Watching favourite DVD - 13%
10. Buying favourite magazine - 12%


MEN'S TOP TREATS
1. Pint of beer - 31%
2. Chocolate / cake / sweets - 29%
3. Watching sport - 24%
4. A curry takeaway- 21%
5. Morning sex - 19%
6. Eating out on a weekday - 19%
7. Listening to music - 15%
8. Watching favourite DVD - 12%
9. Leaving work 10 minutes early -8%
10. Flirting with strangers - 8%


WOMEN'S TOP TREATS
1. Chocolate / cake / sweets - 43%
2. Eating out on a weekday - 25%
3. A curry takeaway - 20%
4. Going for a coffee - 20%
5. Listening to music - 18%
6. Reading a magazine - 17%
7. Watching favourite DVD - 15%
8. Pampering treatment - 11%
9. Leaving work 10 minutes early - 11%
10. Morning sex - 9%