The average Briton eats 36 meals out that they’re unhappy with a year, while 40% of consumers wouldn’t complain if their food tasted bad, according to a new survey commissioned by Subway, as part of its ‘Stay Picky’ campaign.
The research, which polled 2,000 people, also found that one in five Brits have been embarrassed by their other halves when eating out together.
A study found six in 10 Brits are so worried about what a date or partner thinks of them while eating that they often ignore their preferred choice of food for something that’s more straightforward.
The research found millions of Brits have been left red-faced after their partner struggled to pronounce an order correctly, clicked their fingers at staff or complained unnecessarily about something.
The study also showed that their date being on the phone the entire time they were ordering or speaking with their mouth full were amongst the most common embarrassments.
Roger Cusa, head of marketing for the Subway UK and Ireland, said: “When it comes to eating out it seems that for many of us there is a set of unwritten rules and behaviours that we expect our dates to follow. Failure to do so can often give the wrong impression. It’s clear from the results that a person being rude, loud or lacking in manners can quickly embarrass those they are with.”
“It is important people recognise that simply having the confidence to get the order they were hoping for is ok. There’s a tradition of people keeping quiet when receiving food they don’t like so as not to cause a fuss or seem picky. At Subway stores we want to champion people to stay picky to ensure they get their food just the way they want it.”
British politeness still gets in the way of us getting what we want - around 30% would complain if an order wasn’t to their liking. In comparison just 14% are happy to personalise their meal to ensure they get exactly what they want, whilst a 65% of people order food that is easy or less messy than what they actually want, so as not to create a scene and embarrass the person they are with.
Cusa said: “People think that knowing what you want and asking for it or seeming particular in your requests for food is a bad thing but we want to do away with this stereotype and encourage everyone to be picky and proud.”
