Two thirds of Brits (68 per cent) have admitted to being ‘overthinkers’ – and worry about what clothes to wear and why someone hasn’t replied to a text message.
The study of 2,000 adults found nearly four in 10 get wrapped up in trying to get out of unwanted plans, which topped the poll of things we overthink the most.
And almost a third (31 per cent) panic that some ‘office banter’ may have been construed in the wrong way.
Brits also overthink their financial choices (32 per cent), how to ask someone to repay money they borrowed (31 per cent) and how much to spend on a gift (26 per cent).
Commissioned by mike’s Hard Seltzer to launch its new dating advice hotline, it also emerged nearly six in 10 think they spend too long dwelling on their love lives.
Almost two thirds of singletons overthink the content on their dating profile, with three in 10 even lying or misrepresenting themselves to seem more attractive both on their profile – and in real life.
Alexandre Wellens, from mike’s Hard Seltzer, said: “We’ve all been there – agonising over our love interests.
“At mike’s, our motto is ‘Don’t Overthink It,’ so that’s exactly what we’re encouraging the public to do – just be yourselves and go with the flow.”
The study also found more than half of those polled worry they will run out of things to say on a date, and 46 per cent admitted they practice what they’ll say before they call a crush.
Other things Brits overthink when it comes to matters of the heart include what kind of impression they are giving (25 per cent) or what they should wear on a date (22 per cent).
They’ll even internally debate whether or not to go for a ‘number two’ at their date’s house (38 per cent) – a bigger concern for women (51 per cent) than men (29 per cent).
It also emerged the average adult takes almost nine minutes to draft a text to their new crush, and a third will deliberately wait before drafting a reply so they don’t look too keen.
And more than a quarter will purposefully not open a text from a date once it’s been received so that they don’t give away that they have read it.
Nearly a quarter of those polled even seek a friend or family member’s approval before sending a message to their object of affection.
To help Brits overcome their romantic hang-ups, mike’s Hard Seltzer are launching a dating advice hotline, set to be manned by Towie’s Pete Wicks and Love Island’s Shaughna Phillips, on September 25.
Alexandre Wellens added: “We wanted to tap into some experts who always do what feels right to them and don’t second guess themselves.
“From Celebs Go Dating to Love Island, Pete and Shaughna are no strangers to love and the perfect pair to dish out some straight talking, no nonsense advice.”
Lovesick Brits will be able to text any question of the heart into 07310 756 469 on Friday, September 25, between 15:00 and 18:00 GMT, and receive live advice back from Pete and Shaughna via WhatsApp.
Top 30 things Brits are most likely to overthink
1. How to get out of a plan you don’t want to go to
2. What clothes to wear to a particular occasion
3. If you are making the right finance choices e.g. savings accounts / investing
4. If your attempt at banter may have caused offence
5. How to ask someone for money they owe you
6. The wording of a text or Whatsapp message from a friend
7. Why someone hasn’t responded to your text message straight away
8. What your friends think of you
9. How much to spend on a gift
10. Why your friend never called you back
11. What to wear on a date
12. How to decorate a room (e.g. what colour it should be)
13. If you are in the right profession/ career
14. How to break up with someone
15. What to order from the menu when out for a meal
16. Why someone didn’t pick up your call
17. If you seemed appreciative enough when you received a gift
18. What to message a love interest
19. What to cook for dinner
20. What food to buy in the supermarket
21. What to watch on Netflix or similar
22. When to first say I Love You to someone
23. What the boss’s email meant
24. Why your boss gave your colleague praise and not you
25. Why your partner paused before responding to a question
26. What your excuse is for being late
27. How much to tip in a restaurant
28. Who to go on a date with
29. Why someone cancelled a meeting
30. If you can have seconds at dinner
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