One in ten Brits fake sleep to avoid their partner
According to new data released by Just Eat, lockdown is beginning to have a detrimental impact on couples and cohabitors alike with 42% of people admitting tensions have been running high with arguments over cleanliness (56%), what to watch on TV (55%), snoring (54%) and even bedroom antics (44%) amongst the top reasons for bickering.
As the lockdown rumbles on, Brits admit that they’re trying to be more independent of one another with over a third going on separate walks (36%), over 1 in 5 (22%) saying they’re now more likely to watch their own TV shows, whilst 10% even confess to making up an excuse to spend some time apart from their partner.
The story is the same in the bedroom, with 11% pretending to be asleep for some much needed alone-time and the same amount admitting to implementing sleeping in separate rooms. Even those who stay in the same room are in trouble, with nearly two-thirds (63%) of couples aged 18-24 admit to having sex less frequently.
The findings revealed that deciding what takeaway to agree on with their partner or housemate is also a bone of contention, with more than 40% saying it happens often and 20% admitting that it can sometimes take up to 30 minutes debating what to order. For the truly indecisive amongst us (1 in 50), it can take up to an hour of back and forth to come to a decision on what to eat.
While 7% stated that they already do order separate takeaways because their partner refuses to try something different, 45% admitted they would rather order a separate takeaway (or a Breakaway) this Valentine’s Day to avoid disagreeing with a loved one,, with just under half (47%) saying they’d do so because they enjoy completely different food to their partner.
Love Island stars Alex & Olivia Bowen admitted they too will be having a Breakaway this Valentine’s Day, with Alex commenting: “Olivia and I always find it really difficult when choosing what food to order because we have such different tastes, I love burritos – they’re definitely my takeaway weakness - but she can’t stand them so it does make it quite difficult for us to always agree on the same thing. Opting for a Breakaway with Just Eat is definitely the way forward for us and we can't wait to tuck in to our own dishes this Valentine's Day.”
Olivia added “I’m definitely more fussy than Alex when it comes to choosing what to eat– we have nights where we are polar opposite of what we want to eat and as food is definitely the way to my heart, I’m glad that Alex and I have teamed up with Just Eat to enjoy a Breakaway this Valentine’s Day to make sure we keep the peace and can still enjoy a romantic night in together.”
To avoid any further drama this Valentine’s Day, Just Eat is urging the nation to indulge in a Breakaway and will be giving 50 couples (or close friends) the chance to win a £40 voucher - split into two £20 vouchers - to help couples indulge in their own culinary fantasies.
Matt Bushby UK Marketing Director for Just Eat commented: “It’s clear there’s an increase in couples feeling the need for more personal space under lockdown so we hope the wide range of restaurants available on Just Eat will encourage some of them to indulge in a Breakaway and ease those takeaway dilemmas this Valentine’s Day ”
However, it’s not all doom and gloom, 16% of couples did admit that the pandemic has caused them to learn something new about their partner that they never knew before, and a quarter (25%) said they’re more in love than ever before even despite getting on each other’s nerves.
The Breakaway competition will launch on 11th February. To enter, customers must emailjusteatbreakaway@justeattakeaway.com and describe what their partner or friend's perfect "breakaway" meals would be. Entry to the competition is free.
