(Photo by MART PRODUCTION via Pexels) More than a third of Americans feel socially “stuck in a rut” (37%), according to new research. The survey of 2,000 adults who have traveled with friends found that 39% haven’t made a new friend in over a year and a similar percentage haven’t gone to a party in at least six months (38%). For many, it’s also been at least a year since they’ve gone to a concert with a friend (59%) or been on vacation with them (44%).
Conducted by Talker Research for , the survey found that while most would describe their existing friendships as fun and ever-changing (58%), a quarter of respondents said their social lives feel repetitive (26%). Thinking about the friends they do have, the average person who said they have a best friend would knight two of their lucky friends with the title. Friends are forever for eight in 10 who said that they’re still friends with someone after at least 10 years (81%).
But making time is difficult: the average respondent has only spent enough one-on-one time with their friends seven times within the last year. Americans are in need of a social refresh, as just 21% said they spend the most time with their close friends above others in their life. When they do get together, those surveyed admit they’re bored of classic hangouts like getting drinks (25%), going shopping (21%) or binge-watching TV shows or movies (20%).
Still, half of respondents always or often leave their friends feeling like they didn’t sp.