Wee need to talk - The phrases that make guys sweat

They may just be four little words but the phrase 'We need to talk' is the most dreaded in the English language, according to new research. Hearing it brings on frayed nerves, sets the heart racing and brings on reactions from swearing to sweating.

It is even more panic-inducing than the dreaded "the boss wants to see you" in a list of the ten unexpected phrases most likely to bring someone out in a sweat, said the study by deodorant expert Right Guard.

The list also includes the familiar understatement 'I've had a bit of an accident' which can end up with the discovery of a wrecked car or burnt out kitchen and 'there's a leak upstairs' which is rarely good.

A survey of 1,000 adults also identified 'can I borrow your credit card' and anything starting with the expression 'you know that xxx you lent me?' as guaranteed to spark fear and dread. While it is predominantly men who tended to admit they get anxious when confronted with 'did you remember my birthday' and 'you haven't forgotten we're going out tonight.'

The research by Right Guard discovered the average Britain is subject to around five unexpected moments a month though this rises to more than six among singles to around three a month for those with families. Surprises can vary from minor shocks such as a washing machine breaking down to major ones like forgetting a passport when arriving at the airport.

Dealing with such tales of the unexpected also varies. The most common response is to swear, with 30 per cent resorting to bad language when something goes wrong compared to just 19 per cent who sweat more when it happens. Overall, more than three in four (78 per cent) feel they cope well with an unexpected moment. Men are particularly confident claiming they’re better at coping with surprises than women especially at work.

A spokesman for Right Guard said: "The research shows one thing above all else – prepare for the unexpected. Many people can handle almost anything that comes their way and after a moment of panic will find a solution to get them through. But there are others who find it harder to cope and experience symptoms from heart beating faster to losing temper and breaking out in a sweat! Our advice is to try and look at surprises logically and at least we can help them not to sweat!"

Ten phrases most likely to bring people out in a sweat:

1. We need to talk
2. The boss wants to see you now
3. I've had a bit of an accident
4. Can I borrow your credit card?
5. There's a leak (upstairs/in the bathroom etc)
6. Did you remember my birthday?
7. I've got something to tell you
8. You know that xxx (tenner/car/lawnmower etc) that you lent me?
9. You haven't forgotten we're going out tonight
10. Now I know it looks bad but...