NEWS COPY
More than eight in 10 Brits have settled for second best – when it comes to their job, salary and even their PARTNER.
A study of 2,000 adults found a ‘guess that will do’ approach has been adopted because they either haven’t been able to afford better, or get what they really want.
Incredibly, 41 per cent of adults have found themselves in a relationship with someone they didn’t think was ‘the one’ – with 12 per cent doing so because they didn’t want to be left on the shelf and 16 per cent worrying they’d never find love.
And seven in 10 adults have at some point accepted a salary which was far from ideal, with a fifth feeling there wasn’t room for negotiation and one quarter hoping a pay rise might happen in the future.
Of those polled, 66 per cent have also accepted a job they didn’t want, largely because they couldn’t find anything better.
A spokeswoman for Lottoland, which carried out the research in connection with their new Lotto Plus Multiple Millionaires Bonus draw, said: “We know that people often want more out of life, and as such strive to do better, but the findings do indicate an acceptance that things can’t always be perfect.
“However, there should be some areas of life where you don’t settle for second best.
"It is human nature to want more – more fun, more spontaneity, and more choice – and that’s why we’re introducing more choice and more opportunities for our own customers.”
The study also found a house, friendships, and a car are among the other life changing things adults have settled for, when they really didn’t want to.
Almost two thirds (64 per cent) of adults have ended up moving into a house which wasn’t their dream home, with money the chief factor.
And 43 per cent have found themselves in unhealthy friendships, with confidence cited as the main reason for not pursuing alternative relationships.
But when it comes to settling in life, not all decisions are life changing.
Nearly four in 10 (37 per cent) adults have had to settle on a supermarket’s own brand of food over something posher, while 35 per cent have made do with a cheap restaurant rather than opting for fine dining.
Choosing a slice of cake smaller than one would like, and deciding on the house wine over something a little more refined also feature in the top 30 list.
Furniture for the home, haircuts, shoes and gifts are also among the things Brits have chosen, despite wanting better.
It also emerged three in 10 have settled for the price of something rather than negotiating, and 21 per cent have resigned themselves to working long hours instead of meeting up with friends.
Holidays, the area to live in, smart phones, and coffee also feature in the list as those things where sometimes, second best will have to do.
But researchers from OnePoll found two thirds of those polled DO want more out of life, and the same percentage say the older they get, the less likely they are to settle for anything less than perfect.
Four in 10 adults will only settle on something if they really don’t have a choice, and 51 per cent said money is always the decisive factor.
Being too relaxed, lacking confidence, and wanting to go with the flow are also reasons why Brits don’t push to get what they want all the time.
But if they had the choice and felt able, 41 per cent would like to improve their financial situation, while 31 per cent want a better salary.
One fifth of adults would like to improve their relationships, and one third want to live somewhere nicer both in terms of house, and location.
A spokeswoman for Lottoland added: “As a nation we’re go-getters, and striving to do better is part of who we are.
"Lottoland wants to mirror that by offering playing more chances to win, more flexibility and more enjoyment along the way.
“In the spirit of offering more, we’re launching a special promotion for Lotto Plus players – the Multiple Millionaires Bonus Draw. Find out more at www.lottoland.co.uk ”
TOP 30 THINGS BRITS SETTLE ON
1. Salary
2. Job
3. Dream house
4. Car
5. Friendships
6. Partner
7. Supermarket's own food instead of branded
8. A cheaper restaurant over fine dining
9. Staying at home for the evening instead of going out with
10. Clothing brands
11. The price of something rather than negotiating
12. A gift for someone
13. Mobile phone / smart phone
14. Area you live in
15. House wine instead of the higher cost option
16. A self-catered holiday over a luxurious all inclusive
17. Furniture
18. Haircut
19. Shoes
20. Working longer hours instead of spending time with friends
21. Having a small slice of cake instead of a massive one
22. Clothes a size larger than you'd like to be buying
23. Coffee - getting instant instead of the good stuff
24. TV
25. Decor
26. The cost of utility bills
27. Cheap beers
28. Who to socialise with
29. Handbags
30. Fitness gear
ENDS
