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Other eye-rolling topics include “when are you going to have a baby?”, “have you found yourself a nice partner yet?”, and “why aren’t you married?”
The festive season is a time where we can all relate to similar observations and annoyances
Abi Clarke, comedian and TikTok star
And those polled aren’t looking forward to these questions with good reason – as 57 percent said they get asked them every year.
The research was commissioned by Samsung KX, after the tech brand partnered with comedian and TikTok star, Abi Clarke, to bring the awkward Christmas conversations to life through a series of sketches.
Abi Clarke said: “I always like to make sketches that people can share and tag each other in, and the festive season is a time where we can all relate to similar observations and annoyances.
“There’s at least one character we can all recognise, whether it’s an old school friend trying to find the perfect baby picture – that you never asked to see – or the fitness fanatic showing off their running routes.”
The study also found that almost a quarter don’t enjoy small talk over the festive period – with 41 percent feeling “awkward” and “embarrassed” when being quizzed on their love life.
For 39 percent, sex is the topic they’d most want to avoid, followed by their love life (31 percent), politics (29 percent) and money (28 percent).
And 21 percent would rather leave Covid-19 chats behind over the festive season, too.
A further 15 percent get uncomfortable when answering questions about their career.
But almost half (49 percent) admit conversations with friends or relatives on such topics often end up in disagreements.
A quarter claim going for a walk helps them to cope with these confrontations, while 21 percent would rather opt for an alcoholic beverage.
The in-laws are the most annoying to be around at Christmas, followed closely by mums and siblings.
And 33 percent feel uncomfortable meeting up with friends from home – but still do it every year.
The most dreaded topics of conversation with old friends include politics (19 percent), sex (18 percent) and money (16 percent) – while one in six hate being shown photos of other people’s children.
Previous awkward moments at Christmas include disliking a gift but pretending to like it (28 percent), having a family argument (18 percent), and having to laugh at a really bad joke (16 percent).
But while family feuds might be a common occurrence, 48 percent are looking forward to this Christmas more than last year.
And the study, carried out through OnePoll, found 62 percent would prefer to spend it with those they often argue with, rather than on their own.
Ashrita Seshadri, from Samsung UK, said: “We’re delighted to collaborate with Abi Clarke to bring to life some of the nation’s anticipated awkward conversations.
“And get people laughing together this Christmas, finding joy in those silly, relatable moments we all experience every year.”
You can watch Abi Clarke’s sketches here.
TOP 15 QUESTIONS PEOPLE DREAD AT CHRISTMAS:
- Have you put on weight?
- What’s happening in your love life?
- Have you found a partner/boyfriend/girlfriend yet?
- When are you going to have a baby?
- Why are you still single?
- Why aren’t you married yet?
- When are you going to get married?
- Do you still see/hear from your ex?
- When are you going to get a proper job?
- When are you going to buy a house?
- Would you like children one day?
- When are we going to meet your new boyfriend/girlfriend?
- Why did you do that to your hair?
- What happened to that nice person you were dating?
- When are you going to move out?
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