Because a new survey by Lastminute.com reveals that almost a fifth of Brits fabricate fibs about their fascinating weekend shenanigans in order to deceive others into believing they live life to the max.
Around four in 10 weekend liars (38 per cent) admit to making up stories because they fear their weekends are rubbish compared with their friends’ and family’s, and 32 per cent of tall-tale tellers do so because they don’t want people to think they’re boring.
Just over a quarter (26 per cent) don’t want people to find out they have no friends, and 23 per cent don’t want to be left out when work colleagues are telling exciting stories about their weekends (which probably aren’t true either). Meanwhile 19 per cent admit they just want something to talk about in work on a Monday morning.
And we don’t just tell fairytales face-to-face. It’s a worldwide web of lies on Facebook too, with over four million Brits having faked their Facebook posts. Fake it is about all they can do, because Brits now spend more time on social media between Friday and Sunday than they do in the pub or having sex.
“With the increasing importance social media plays in our lives it seems we’re living one life online and another in reality,” says behavioural expert Judi James. “There is a rise in social media envy, with people feeling inadequate when they compare their weekend activities with friends, colleagues and even celebrities.
“In order for them to ‘save face’ on Facebook, and improve their confidence, the Lastminute.com research shows they regularly lie to compete with others, making up fictional escapades and sharing via social media.”
The most popular weekend pretence is bragging about a spontaneous weekend away, with 24 per cent admitting to posing as jetsetters. Three per cent even go so far as to apply fake tan on Sunday evening in order to fool the office crowd the next day.
Around 20 per cent of people have told porkies about being an extra in a TV show, while 19 per cent claim to have been swimming with dolphins. Climbing mountains (16 per cent), hanging out with celebrities (14 per cent), and inventing sexual conquests (9 per cent) are also popular.
Some of the more outlandish whoppers include discovering a dinosaur skeleton, going hiking naked, and meeting the boss at a nudist camp.
Amanda Cumine, brand director at Lastminute.com, not surprisingly recommends a few real-life weekends away. “I can’t believe that Brits are such bluffers when it comes to weekend bragging,” she said. “Why make believe when it’s easier than ever to turn travel fantasies and fictional socialising into realities? I’m baffled!”
