Couples ditch ‘dirty weekends’ for ‘clean breaks’ with mates
It seems the candlelit dinners and romantic strolls of the ‘Dirty Weekend’ could be a thing of the past as research identifies a new phenomenon: the ‘Clean Weekend’.A study by AA Insurance shows over half (55 per cent) of Brits in relationships have left their partners behind to jet off on mini-breaks without them and over one in ten (13 per cent) admit they prefer going on short breaks without their partner.
With 10 per cent of Brits citing they need space away from their other half and over a fifth (22 per cent) going on ‘Clean Weekends’ to take part in an activity their partner doesn’t like, the research suggests the Dirty Weekend might have had its day.
People wanting to cover themselves on their ‘Clean Weekends’ can insure with AA Insurance’s single trip policy.
The research, which questioned over 2,000 Brits also reveals that:
Over one in ten Brits (11 per cent) go away on ‘Clean Weekends’ to spend some quality time alone
Over one in twenty (Seven per cent) go away more with friends than with their partner.
Londoners are the most likely to want to escape their partners, with 44 per cent saying they have jetted off on their own or with pals
Over one in ten Brits (11 per cent) admitted to going away with friends as their partners couldn’t afford to go
Give Me Space
‘Clean Weekends’ are seen by some Brits (10 per cent) as a chance to get some space from their partners and over one in twenty (Six per cent) admit that going away without their partner is more relaxing. Over a fifth (22 per cent) of Brits have ‘Clean Weekends’ to take part in an activity their partner doesn’t like such as shopping and fishing and over one in ten (11 per cent) admitted to holidaying without their partner because their partners couldn’t afford to go.
Sport and Spa breaks
Whilst more women than men shop (63 per cent) and have spa treatments (13 per cent) on their ‘Clean Weekends’, men opt to explore local bars and nightclubs (58 per cent) or take part in sporting activities (28 per cent). UK cities are the most popular destination, with over a third (38 per cent) of ‘Clean Weekends’ taking place within British shores; European cities (21 per cent) are the second most popular places to escape to.
Great Escape from London
Londoners are the most likely to want to escape their partners, with 44 per cent saying they have jetted off on their own or with pals, compared to just 34 per cent of those in the South of England, 35 per cent of those in the North and 36 per cent in Scotland. More Welsh people than any other region (19 per cent) cite the reason they go off with their friends was to get some space from their partner.
Clare Emsley, head of AA Travel Insurance, says: “For many, mini breaks are a chance to have some time away from their partners and do things they wouldn’t necessarily do if their partner was with there. We’re responding to the changing travel trends by offering great value single trip cover, for those ‘Clean Weekends’ - so you can rest assured that whether you’re jetting to Manchester or Milan, you will be properly covered!”