One in five Brits exaggerate their weekend plans to sound cooler to work colleagues
A meal at a posh restaurant, a family day out, or a trip to the gym are all Monday-morning lies people tell. And 70 per cent wouldn't admit to doing nothing all weekend
Joel Adams
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MILLIONS of workers admit to spinning stories about their weekends – to make their lives sound more exciting to their colleagues, a study has found.
When asked about their weekends on a Monday morning, a poll of 2,000 workers found three in 10 exaggerate or make up what they did to avoid having to admit to staying in or not really doing anything.
Pretending they went to the pub with friends instead of just sitting in front of the TV is the most common fib, followed by making out they went to an expensive restaurant or got in a workout at the gym.
Going on a mini break, seeing a gig or playing a sport are also among the top 10 lies workers tell on a Monday morning.
But one in five have been caught out fibbing about their weekend activities.
It also emerged 51 per cent usually regret not making the most of their two days off work.
A spokesman for Holiday Inn, which commissioned the research said: “Being asked ‘what did you get up to at the weekend’ is a common question from colleagues and friends on a Monday morning.
“While this is great if you did something exciting, it can be awkward if you had a weekend where you didn’t even leave the house.
“Rather than admit to a quiet weekend, many are making-up more exciting activities to avoid looking boring in front of others.
“One respondent told a colleague they had gone on a city break, not knowing their co-worker had seen them walking around their hometown.
“Going away for the weekend can add instant colour to your Monday morning weekend chat.
The top 10 fibs or exaggerations workers make about their weekend:
1. Going to the pub
2. Going to an expensive restaurant
3. Visiting the gym
4. Doing a cultural activity
5. Taking a road trip
6. Playing sports
7. Visiting a high-end cocktail bar
8. Going to a gig
9. Going on a mini break
10. Taking a bike ride
“Holiday Inn is committed to enabling the best weekends possible. With so much to explore right here in the UK, we help people nail their response to that dreaded Monday morning question ‘what did you do this weekend.”
The study found a third of workers dread colleagues asking what they did at the weekends in case it comes across as boring.
Social media is also filling Brits with weekend remorse, with more than one in 10 admitting to posting old photos on their Instagram account to make their weekends look more action-packed.
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