PRESS RELEASE: Nivea
Written: Friday 16th April, 2010
TRUE FRIENDS
The average Brit only has THREE true friends, it was revealed yesterday (Thurs).
Research revealed while most adults have up to 22 'mates', most feel they can only truly rely on a three of them.
And worryingly, for three quarters of people one of their close friends is member of their family.
The study also found most people have lost touch with an average of 24 friends over the years after simply 'drifting apart'.
Shefali Mattani, spokeswoman for Nivea which conducted the study among 3,000 people, said: ''Most of those polled seemed to have one solid best friend who they have grown up with, one family member and another friend they have either met at university or work.
''Unsurprisingly, a vast majority of friendships weaken as life gets in the way - we move from job to job and away from our grass roots and it gets harder and harder to maintain good relationships.
''It is only the really strong friendships which continue despite life's interruptions, and of course family members are often the most reliable and trustworthy people to turn to.''
The poll shows just under half of Brits have lost touch with good friends after moving away from a particular area or job, whilst 29 per cent blame lack of contact on being busy.
Seven in 10 people polled say their busy lifestyle means they are seeing their true friends less and less.
Although 67 per cent still regularly see their good friends face to face, two thirds rely on contact by mobile phone, and 37 per cent correspond by email.
Skype, instant messaging and online chat forums have also risen in popularity over the past 12 months and over a third of people are quite happy confiding in their friends over social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
But 43 per cent admit they find themselves opening up to work colleagues more to compensate for the fact they are not seeing their friends as much as they'd like.
And it emerged the average person will have a best friend they have known for over 18 years.
Shefali Mattani added: ''While social media such as Facebook and Twitter, and more on-the-go technology such as texting no doubt have a role in the way we communicate with friends and family, there really is nothing like making the effort to meet face-to-face.
''That is why we are urging people to take time out, really think about the relationships they have with others, and celebrate close family ties and friendships.''
The study shows the majority of people meet their true friends at school (61 per cent), while work (48 per cent) and university (27 per cent) are also popular places to find people who share common interests.
Interestingly, 29 per cent of those polled claim their mum is one of their three real friends, whiles 23 per cent often confide and share secrets with their sister.
More than one in ten people even include their husband or wife as someone who is the best friend, as well as their life-long romantic partner.
Nine in ten people claim their true friends are the ones responsible for shaping who they are as a person - while 84 per cent say the relationships with their family and friends are the most important things in their life.
Nivea carried out the study to launch its Feel Closer Awards, an initiative which celebrate relationships that matter.
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com
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