The average Brit will spend the equivalent of nearly two YEARS of their life...just waiting, according to a new research.
Researchers took an in depth look into how long us Brits spend aimlessly hanging around, with waiting in supermarket queues, delayed flights and waiting impatiently for phones to charge among the main time wasters.
The average Brit will spend TEN HOURS a year waiting for laptops and computers to load and 45 minutes every month will be spent waiting for video buffering to stop, according to the study by TalkTalk.
The research found 11 minutes a week will be spent waiting for our phones to update and the equivalent of nine hours a year will be spent twiddling our thumbs while TV and films painstakingly download.
With many of us online shopping, streaming films or watching live TV on the internet while using other devices at the same time, the demands of modern homes have surpassed standard broadband.
It’s no wonder that waiting for the internet is causing Brits to lose their cool so much - 138 times year to be precise - that TalkTalk has coined the term “Load Rage” to describe this modern-day phenomenon.
However, upgrading to speedier fibre broadband will reduce internet waiting time and return some valuable time.
Aside from internet induced ‘load rage’, the study also revealed sitting in traffic, waiting in for deliveries to arrive and eagerly waiting for food to be served in restaurants were among the things we got fed up of waiting for.
And the typical adult complains in a shop, restaurant, doctor’s surgery or on the phone NINE times a month about how long something is taking.
The research uncovered that 14 percent of Brits spent so long hanging around they shouted at a shop assistant and 23 percent have cried in frustration that they were having to wait so long.
And the typical adult will dedicate 48 minutes of every month waiting for the bus to pull up, the poll of 1,500 Brits found.
The data also revealed we spend 38 days of our life waiting for parcels and goods to be delivered to our house, with a further 18 days spent queuing in the post office.
Laurent Kretzschmar, Head of Product at TalkTalk said: “We all lead increasingly busy lives and our time is valuable.
“Although technology and connectivity have accelerated so many aspects of our lives, with countless devices all connecting to our internet, many busy households have outgrown standard broadband.
“While a faster internet connection won’t speed up post office queues, fibre broadband gives you the speed and the bandwidth you need to stream, download, browse and upload at the same time without slowing your experience, giving you some precious time back.”
Unlimited fibre from TalkTalk offers a more reliable connection than standard broadband, using the same cables as BT and Sky but at a much cheaper lower price. In an industry where mid-contract price hikes have become commonplace, TalkTalk is bucking the trend and offering customers the chance to fix their fibre broadband price for up to 24 months from as little as £25 a month. For more information visit: https://www.talktalk.co.uk/fibre
Nearly seven in 10 of the adults polled said they seem to spend a lot of their time aimlessly waiting around.
A staggering 94 percent of respondents were in agreement that modern life has made us impatient and that we have come to expect things instantly.
In addition to that, 95 percent said they think it would do their health the world of good if they relaxed and let things happen when they happen.
TIME SPENT WAITING FOR….
Phone to charge 1.2 hours a month / 37 days over a lifetime
Sitting in traffic 1.2 hours a month / 37 days over a lifetime
Deliveries to arrive 1.2 hours a month / 37 days over a lifetime
The washing machine to finish 59 minutes a month / 30 days over a lifetime
Computer or device to load 53 minutes a month / 27 days over a lifetime
Your partner to get ready 52 minutes a month / 27 days over a lifetime
Food in restaurants 51 minutes a month / 26 days over a lifetime
Being on hold 50 minutes a month / 26 days over a lifetime
The oven to heat up 50 minutes a month / 26 days over a lifetime
Supermarket queue 49 minutes a month / 25 days over a lifetime
Buses 48 minutes a month / 25 days over a lifetime
Waiting for tradesmen to arrive 47 minutes a month / 24 days over a lifetime
To see a doctor 46 minutes a month / 24 days over a lifetime
Films, TV shows to download 46 minutes a month / 24 days over a lifetime
Video buffering to stop 45 minutes a month / 23 days over a lifetime
Phone to update 44 minutes a month / 23 days over a lifetime
Trains 43 minutes a month / 22 days over a lifetime
Kids to get ready for school 39 minutes a month / 20 days over a lifetime
Waiting for car to be serviced / MOT 37 minutes a month / 19 days over a lifetime
The post office queue 36 minutes a month / 18 days over a lifetime
Delayed flights 35 minutes a month / 18 days over a lifetime
Queuing in the bank 34 minutes a month / 17 days over a lifetime
Outside the school gates 34 minutes a month / 17 days over a lifetime
Coffee in a coffee shop 33 minutes a month / 17 days over a lifetime
Outside changing rooms 30 minutes a month / 15 days over a lifetime
ENDS
Media contact: David Arnold dave@gingercomms.com or 07876 566 509