The nation is full of lasting friendships, with the people of Britain maintaining a relationship with their best mate for an average of 29 years. Latest research from Direct Line has revealed that we would do anything for our mates, so much so that 68 per cent would even live with them 24/7.
Three-quarters of people (74 per cent) claimed they would jump in the car to pick them up, wherever they were and at whatever time. Whilst almost two-thirds (62 per cent) would also donate a kidney to their best friend, which shows the depth of feeling and commitment people have for their mates. At the same time, a bold 60 per cent would jump on a plane to bail them out if they got into trouble.
Wendy Moores, Head of Marketing, Direct Line said: “The power of true friendship cannot be underestimated, people will drop everything to help their mates if they are in trouble, as we seek to do for our customers. Our ultimate friendship test, the largest dunk machine ever seen on the River Thames, showed just how in-tune people are with their best mates. At a time when people are facing so many challenges, people can lean on their friends for help or for escapism and a great time together.”
The value of friendship has proved vital in the past few years and communication between people has been the key way to stay connected. Research shows that people do indeed spend hours each week communicating with their friends, both in person and virtually, spending on average five hours in their company and another two and a half hours texting and instant messaging.
Brits also claim to spend on average two and a half hours a week chatting to their mates on the phone and hours engaging with their mate's social media posts and stories, devoting two and a half hours on average each week, while for 18-34 year olds, unsurprisingly, this increases to over four hours.
Following Direct Line’s ‘Backup you need’ campaign, a challenge where friends have to prove how well they know their pal, best friend duo Jake Quickenden and Kimberly Hart-Simpson were the first to try it...and both ended up dunked in the Thames.
