NEWS COPY
Brits spend two months in a relationship with a partner they are planning to dump.
A study of 2,000 UK adults found 48 per cent have been in a relationship which they felt had reached its expiry date, but continued to stay with their other half.
More than one in 10 have even held onto a failing relationship for more than six months before biting the bullet and calling it quits.
And 29 per cent held off ending things until after an event or special occasion.
Nearly seven in 10 have postponed their planned ‘dumping’ because their partner’s birthday was just around the corner, and more than half have waited until after a pre-planned holiday.
It also emerged as many as two-thirds have spent Christmas with a significant other only to end it shortly after while three in 10 have held out until AFTER the clock strikes 12 on New Year’s Eve.
The research was commissioned by Sky Mobile, to highlight ‘text to switch’ - where UK mobile customers can 'dump' their mobile network by sending a free text, with no hard feelings or recriminations.
Paul Sweeney, managing director of Sky Mobile, said: “Plenty of us have delayed break up decisions because of an upcoming celebration like Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
"But thankfully when it comes to changing your mobile network, there are no hurt feelings if you break up by text."
The study also found 43 per cent have held off breaking up with someone because they didn’t want to hurt their feelings while 17 per cent were afraid of being alone.
But three in 10 simply didn’t know how to end it, with nearly a quarter afraid of how the other person would react and 15 per cent needing time to plan the break-up.
Nearly a fifth have pushed back plans to end a relationship because Christmas was approaching, with just under half saying it’s 'cruel' to break up with someone during the festive period.
As such, a fifth reckon it’s better to wait until AFTER a special occasion has passed to end the relationship, rather than softening the blow by cutting ties before an event.
Consequently, one in four Brits has had a relationship end at some point in January and 16 per cent have been on the receiving end of a break-up on New Year’s Day or New Year’s Eve - or both.
Almost a quarter reckon January is a popular time for terminating relationships because of all the arguments over the Christmas holidays, with a fifth putting it down to ‘January Blues’.
More than one in four even say spending so much time together over the holidays, put a strain on a relationship.
But 48 per cent of adults think ending a relationship before the start of a new year allows both to have the chance of a fresh start.
And one in 10 said it allows them to be single by Valentine’s day, while 14 per cent believe it’s the best way so they can kiss someone else when midnight strikes.
Your partner ignoring text and IM messages is one of the biggest signs they are thinking of ending your relationship, along with picking fights about minor things and being evasive about plans.
However, it’s not just relationships which are being put off until the New Year starts as Brits also postpone dealing with their health, education and careers.
Others will put off odd jobs around the home, as well as sorting out finances or even visiting family members, according to the research conducted via OnePoll.
In fact, as many as 47 per cent put off life changes until January because they want to use New Year’s resolutions to turn over a new leaf.
Thanks to text-to-switch, phone users will receive a unique switching code to pass on to their new provider, who will then arrange for the switch to complete within one working day.
The top 10 reasons Brits will postpone a break up:
1. To avoid hurting their feelings
2. Simply waiting for the right time
3. Not knowing how to break up with them
4. Not knowing how to tell them
5. Worrying about how they'd react
6. Because Christmas approaching
7. A fear of being alone
8. Needing time to plan the break-up
9. Because their birthday is approaching
10. To avoid the hassle of dividing up lives
ENDS
