A cup of tea, good internet connection and a trustworthy best friend have been hailed as the bare necessities of modern life. Researchers compiled the top 20 list of the things we just can’t live without, following a study carried out among 2,000 adults aged between 18 and 65.
It shows other items deemed ‘necessities’ included the television set, an iPhone, the family car and for those people who need them, spectacles.
Daily essentials such as showering and central heating also feature in the top 20 – while a glass of wine and a pint are crucial for many.
Over a third of Brits would struggle to cope without an “I love you” every now and then, while the same percentage see cuddles and a solid marriage as essential.
A full English breakfast, coffee and chocolate also made the list, as did a night in on the sofa – and a good cry every now and then.
Finally, one in 20 people claim life wouldn’t be complete without a foreign holiday once a year.
The study shows that women place cuddles as their number one bare necessity, while men are firmly attached to their television.
The poll of 2,000 adults was conducted to mark the forthcoming Blu-ray release of the Disney Classic The Jungle Book later this year.
The survey also revealed:
- For women, chocolate, a best friend, the heating and a cup of tea are top of the list of essentials;
- But for men, a full fry-up, football and sausages all serve an important purpose day to day.
- A third of men admitted that they can’t live without a pint of beer – only 7% of women agree.
Four in 10 people admit that until they had an iPhone they had no idea what a necessity it was – only 34% said the same about their car, and just 33% say the same about their spouse.
Interestingly, despite not wanting to live without their phone, television or car, 77% of Brits do claim every material item is replaceable.
And 86% believe people are guilty of overlooking the essential things in life like love and friendship in favour of material things.
For six in 10 people, the bare necessities in life have changed as they have got older, with seven in 10 claiming they have become less materialistic.
But while 33% of people answering the survey claim they could genuinely function without things like smart phone, laptops and social networking, 60% would find it incredibly frustrating.
TOP 20 BARE NECESSITIES OF LIFE
1. Internet connection
2. Television
3. A cuddle
4. A trustworthy best friend
5. Daily shower
6. Central heating
7. Cup of tea
8. An “I love you” every now and then
9. A solid marriage
10. Car
11. Spectacles
12. Coffee
13. Chocolate
14. Night in on the sofa
15. Glass of wine
16. A good cry every now and then
17. A full English breakfast
18. A foreign holiday once a year
19. iPhone
20. A pint
