Pop the question... in 6 months!

IT is often said a hasty marriage is repented at leisure. But couples are ready to take the plunge sooner than one might assume, say researchers.

A study has found that singletons estimate they would not be sure if they wanted to tie the knot until 210 days, or seven months, into a relationship.

In fact, married people said they made up their minds after 172 days, or just under six months.

The academics, from the University of Chicago said we are quick to make judgments – and a lot less choosy – in a host of other areas, too. Writing in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, they said we expect to only take against someone after seeing their bad side five times – but in reality, it take just three times.

This also held true of the academic ability of a student, based on exam grades, good or bad experiences of neighbours, an athlete’s sporting prowess, and whether a gambler was ‘lucky’ or not. The academics said: ‘People consume far less information than expected before deeming things good or bad.’ Another experiment examined how long it takes someone to decide whether or not they liked or disliked a style of art. Participants predicted they would need to view 16 paintings before they could form an opinion – on average they only needed to look at three.

Deciding if a drink of juice is to your taste was even quicker, as people felt they might have to taste it three times – but one taste was enough.