Average male gets bored on shopping trip after just 26 minutes

The average male's attention during a shopping trip with a wife or girlfriend lasts just 26 minutes until he gets bored, a study shows.

By Amy Willis And Agencies 05 July 2013 • 9:47am

Researchers found men are generally ready to head home within half an hour after following their other half round stores.

And more than one in four men admitted to getting so fedup with the trip they have abandoned their partner and gone home alone.

The study also revealed that the average woman tires of shopping after around two hours – often because they haven't found anything they like or the item they set out to buy.

Andy Oldham, Managing Director at the UK's biggest cashback site Quidco.com, which commissioned the research, said: ''Shopping is generally thought to be a woman's hobby and something men are just subjected to.

''These results certainly seem to back that up, with men getting fed up of the spending spree pretty much as soon as they get there.

''If men buy whatever they were looking for in one of the first shops they went into, it's going to get pretty tiresome going from shop-to-shop with their other half – especially if they are having to follow them into the same store several times.

''But it seems women also have their limit when they are in a busy shopping centre, just for completely different reasons – more down to being frustrated at not being able to find what they were looking for or leaving empty-handed."

The study of 2,000 Britons found eight in 10 men found clothes shopping with their partner boring, with 45 per cent admitting they avoid shopping with their other-half all together.

Another one in four only go with their partner if they need to get something for themselves.

Being hungry or thirsty, busy stores and missing a television show or sports game also see men reaching boiling point when shopping.

But instead of just staying with their partner, 48 per cent of guys who have lost interest, wander off to a different area while a third disappear to a different store altogether.

Another one in three sit outside the shop waiting for them, while one in five admitted to admiring other women to pass the time.

Almost half have also ended up rowing with their wife or girlfriend because of their bad mood in the shopping centre.

Researchers also found that 58 per cent of men would be more likely to at least act like they are enjoying a shopping trip if they are promised a treat at the end of it.

Top ten contributing factors to male shopping boredom;

1. If my partner is taking ages to make a decision or find what they want

2. When I've bought what I needed in the first shop and they are still looking

3. When I'm hungry/thirsty

4. When my partner drags me into the same shop several times

5. It's too busy in the store/shopping centre

6. When they keep asking for my opinion on things which look identical to me

7. When it's hot in the shops/shopping centre

8. When the weather is nice and I'm stuck in shops

9. When I'm missing something on TV/ a sports match

10. When the weather is cold/wet

Top five things men have done while out shopping with a partner;