People are most likely to ditch evening plans during a late afternoon ‘bail window’ between 4.46pm and 5pm, according to a survey. The nation’s peak time when evening plans start to slip is the last 15 minutes of the 9-5 working day.
The Dove study reveals 62% of Brits admit to cancelling evening plans after a demanding day, while 60% say that when that ‘eugh’ feeling hits, they’re likely to bail altogether. Of the 2,050 Brits quizzed, a quarter confessed to bailing on plans once a month, while one 10 admitted ditching plans every week.
Large get-togethers are most likely to be given the boot, followed by after-work drinks. Those surveyed said they’re most likely to skip out on plans with a work colleague and 10% would even bail on plans with a partner. Katie Piper joined Dove to unveil the UK’s first ‘Stay Ready With Me’ station, a quick stop to refresh and rethink the last-minute bail.
The pitstop at Battersea Power Station also saw the launch of Dove’s Whole Body Deodorant.
View 2 ImagesKatie said: “We’ve all had those moments when the day gets away from us and suddenly plans feel like too much. For me confidence isn’t about being perfect, it’s about feeling comfortable in your own skin. Sometimes a small refresh is all it takes to feel yourself again and enjoy the things you were looking forward to.”
More than a quarter of Brits said feeling ‘unfresh’ is enough to make them cancel plans but more than 76% wouldn’t admit it. Excuses used instead include ‘I’m feeling tired’ or ‘I’ve come down with something’.
When Brits are bailing, there’s a level of etiquette to maintain to keep up pretences with the disappointed party. Apologising for the inconvenience, honesty and not leaving it to the last minute are key to managing the fallout from skipping out on an evening plan.
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The research suggests it’s not simply fatigue driving this behaviour, but a broader dip in how people feel in themselves by the end of the day. More than a third don’t feel comfortable heading straight out after a busy day at work.
Jennifer Blanco-Barcia, Dove Marketing Manager, said: “The late-afternoon slump is a very real feeling and our research shows how it often leads to Brits cancelling their evening plans. We welcome Brits down to our ‘Stay Ready With Me’ station at Battersea Power Station for the ultimate quick refresh to banish that afternoon ‘eugh’ feeling and beat the bail.”