Our friends in the South
Northerners ‘have seven fewer’ mates
SOUTHERNERS have seven more friends than people in the North, according to research.
It found the typical Southerner has 30, while it is 23 for Northerners.
And those in the North are more likely to prefer their own company, the poll suggested.
The average Brit has 24 friends. Men have 27 compared with 22 for women, researchers said. And social media is the main form of communication for 54% of those surveyed.
Kim Mills, of Foxy Bingo, which commissioned the poll, said: “We wanted to take a closer look at modern British friendships and it’s so interesting to see the regional spread in terms of friendship group sizes and how people value their friends. It’s no surprise to see so many of our friendships are played out online these days.” The survey of 2,000 people aged between 18 and 60 found half of them are happy with the number of pals they have. Of those quizzed, 9% believe friends are more important than family and 7% would rather spend time with their best friend than their partner. Around 25% said they have been betrayed by a friend, while 16% are worried their mates don’t really like them. A worrying 11% said there is no one they truly trust and 7% revealed they have a frenemy, someone they are friendly with but secretly dislike. TECHNOLOGY Using laptop while on mobile Festival photo I WAS one of “those people” made to feel crazy because I talked to strangers on the Tube.
When I moved to the North from London I found everyone around me was just as bonkers.
You can find out someone’s life story in five minutes on the bus and get invited in for a tea after commenting on a garden.
The next day you’ll find a bag of seeds on your doorstep.
My introduction to life in the North came when I was sent to cover the Yorkshire floods.
My car broke down but within minutes I was befriended by a farmer and his wife, in their 80s.
They fed me cakes and then drove me around on a quad bike.
It took a lot of adjusting to life up north. People put your bins out – and take them back in.
If you go in a pub three or four times, they know what you drink.
OK, so it may take a little longer to get served – because often an elderly customer is having a catch-up with staff.
Southerners don’t have more friends, it’s just that everyone’s your friend in the North.