Sex and money replace politics and religion as dinner table taboos
Sex and money have replaced politics and religion as the things friends are least likely to discuss according to O2’s “All About You” Report.
Almost one third of us would not discuss their sex lives (32%) or an infidelity (31%) with even our closest friends. Money comes a close third as an off limit subject as over a quarter (28%) would refuse to talk about their finances with their nearest and dearest – the same proportion (25%) would not discuss their salary.
On the other hand, the value of a home (16% would refuse to discuss it), politics (which is off-topic for 13% of friends), a serious illness (9% would not talk it over) or religion (which just 7% would steer clear of) are things that friends will discuss more openly, according to the research.
Overall, though, the research found that we are more open with friends than anyone else. Almost two in five of us (39%) would discuss any and all of the topics that O2 investigated – happily talking about their sex lives, their finances, the value of homes and marriages with close friends.
Which of the following do you not talk about with close friends?
Subject - %age
My sex life 32%
An infidelity 31%
The state of my finances 28%
How much I earn 25%
My family planning 19%
My relationship with my partner 18%
The value of my home 16%
Politics 13%
Serious illness 9%
Religion 7%
None of these: I discuss them all 39%
As might be expected, we are more likely to discuss these topics with friends than colleagues (although 21% of people would talk about all of topics O2 asked them about).
Friends have, however, replaced family as those we are most likely to discuss these subjects with. While 39% said that all of these areas were openly discussed with friends, only 26% said they would discuss them with family.
David Johnson, General Manager Devices for O2 in the UK, said: “We’ve found that talking more openly and frankly has become a feature of everyday British life. Where once we were considered reserved and up-tight when it comes to our topics of conversation, the nation is now more open and ready to talk about things that would once perhaps have made previous generations blush.”
The “All About You” report was commissioned by O2 to mark the launch of the Samsung Galaxy SIII.