New research from Vodafone suggests the average Brit will spend 16.5 collective hours waiting for their mates to join them at social occasions this year. That’s two full working days, a flight to Perth Australia, time to drive from Land’s End to John o’Groats or 43 episodes of Friends!
Summer has proven the perfect time for socialising with 59% of the nation stating it’s their favourite season to hang out with pals, with four in 10 (37%) saying they feel happier spending time with friends outside in the warmer weather. During this time, plans make it out of the group chat an average of two times a week, increasing to almost four times a week amongst Gen Z. Going out for drinks (45%), dinner (43%) and meeting groups of friends (34%) are the most popular activities in summer, proving it’s the season for spontaneous plans, shared laughs, and making the most of long evenings together.
The study by Vodafone, the Nation’s Network* found nearly a third (28%) of Brits pride themselves on never being tardy to the party, deliberately turning up early when catching up with a friend. In fact, six in 10 (57%) intentionally show up first, arriving approximately nine minutes early on average, in anticipation for their summer adventures with friends to begin.
However, not all Brits share the same values. A whopping three-quarters of those asked say that certain friends are always late. The longest friends have been kept waiting hits an average of 34 minutes, and over a quarter (25%) have waited over 40 mins for mates in the past.
When waiting, friends tend to play it cool initially, holding off for an average of 19 minutes before messaging or calling their late pals. Gen Z are more impatient, with 18% admitting to calling or texting a late friend within 5 minutes. When they do chase their mates, the research found the most common text is ‘are you on your way?’ (37%), followed by ‘where are you?’ (36%) However, 16% of eager Brits are more direct in asking their pals to simply ‘hurry up’.
The study finds batteries take the strain while waiting for mates, with 38% draining data and power by live sharing their location to friends (15%) or one in 10 video calling to help others find the right route (9%). Those waiting also noted that once they’d found their spot, they didn’t want to leave to grab a snack or drink for fear of missing their mate (20%).
To help early birds to stay chilled and connected this summer, Vodafone has installed a collection of ‘Wait for a Mate’ stations across the UK. The oversized seats measure 9ft high and 6ft wide, so your mates definitely won’t miss you, and are equipped with integrated power ports, sunshades and hydration stations. They’re designed to make those moments before meetups even more enjoyable, giving friends a place to relax and recharge ahead of their summer adventures.
Vodafone’s Wait for a Mate stations kicked off its nationwide tour at Battersea Power Station, a hotspot during the summer months. Before heading to Cardiff, Belfast and Glasgow.
Broadcaster Roman Kemp, tested the wait station in central London today and commented:
“Vodafone’s new research shows that more than a quarter of us deliberately turn up early to meet friends, and with my mates, I’m definitely the early bird. I find I can use the time to catch up on a bit of life admin (aka check the football scores) and Vodafone’s Wait for a Mate stations make hanging around for everyone else to turn up just that bit easier. I can chill out, charge my phone and enjoy the summer while it lasts.”
Vodafone’s Wait for a Mate stations will be touring the nation over the summer months, popping up in Belfast, Glasgow and Cardiff. Follow Vodafone for more information.
