Britons To Be Spitting at Each Other's Christmas Dinners According to Latest Study
A recent study by Readly has revealed that 19% of adults in Britain admit to having regular disputes over politics, family matters, and religion at the Christmas dinner table.
One in five respondents stated that some topics are strictly 'off-limits', with 15% admitting that discussions or arguments regularly occur during the festive season.
According to Chris Couchman, head of content at Readly digital magazine and newspaper app, the events of 2024 have left a lasting impression on people. "As families gather this Christmas, it's inevitable that these defining moments will spark passionate debates and laughter alike," Mr. Couchman said.
The study also found that politics dominated conversations at Christmas dinners for 31% of respondents, followed by family matters (25%) and religion (15%).
However, while some try to steer the conversation towards more pleasant topics (26%), others attempt to change the subject to avoid festive disagreements (24%). A further 27% admitted they can't quite believe what has happened this year, with the loss of One Direction star Liam Payne being the most shocking for 37%.
The poll also discovered that news plays a significant role in shaping Christmas conversations. News broadcasts on TV were found to be the preferred source for 52% of respondents, while digital magazines and newspapers came second at 51%.
The study's findings are reflected in the biggest talking points of 2024 according to Readly, including the US election, Labour winning the UK General Election, Donald Trump being shot in the ear and the Oasis reunion.
Readly CEO Chris Couchman noted that "the power of storytelling has never been more evident in an age where information travels faster than ever. It's the things we read about and these shared experiences that keep us connected and curious with the world around us and sparks good conversation this Christmas time and beyond."
For fans of Taylor Swift, it was a year to forget as "Swiftie Fever" took over the UK during her epic live shows.
Meanwhile, music lovers were treated to the news of Oasis's reunion, which saw tickets become gold dust in a matter of hours.
On the sports front, darts enthusiasts Luke Littler reached the PDC final and blind comedian Chris McCausland made headlines after storming the dancefloor on Strictly Come Dancing.
In other news, popular Netflix show "Baby Reindeer" topped the popularity charts, while "Willy Wonka's" disastrous experience has sparked plenty of entertainment at work.
As Christmas approaches, it's clear that family gatherings and festive celebrations are about to get quite interesting – so who knows what will be happening behind closed doors this year?