Research from AXA into the little things that mean a lot has uncovered an emerging social trend of 18-24 year-olds placing greater value on social media endorsement than ‘real-life’ gestures of politeness.
Facebook ‘like’ means more than a face to face compliment
Over half of 18-24 year-olds would be more impressed by a retweet than a member of the opposite sex holding a chair out for them
One in ten would feel embarrassed if a member of the opposite sex complimented them on their appearance in person, but the awkwardness factor doesn’t exist online
In a study of 5,000 people, AXA has found that 18-24 year-olds appreciate their peers liking their status on Facebook (63 per cent) more than a face to face compliment (59 per cent).
Similarly, over half of 18-24 year-olds would be more impressed by a retweet (52 per cent) than they would if a member of the opposite sex held a chair out for them (49 per cent). Of these new social traditions, they would also class the value of a retweet in the same regard as someone offering them a seat on public transport (52 per cent).
One in five young people (20 per cent) admitted they would feel grateful if their status was liked on Facebook – a full seven per cent higher than the national average (14 per cent) – and ten per cent would even feel flattered. However, it appears their online persona values the interaction more, as only one in ten (11 per cent) would feel grateful for a real world compliment from the opposite sex.
Moreover, one in ten (nine per cent) nervous youngsters would go as far as to say that they would feel embarrassed or even annoyed if they are complimented by a member of the opposite sex in person. Interestingly, the embarrassment factor isn’t felt in the social world, as no 18-24 year-olds would have a problem with receiving online praise.
Despite this emerging trend for placing online interaction in higher regard than real-life contact, it seems some little things never go out of style. A simple ‘good morning’ remains the most impactful little thing that people do – the morning greeting took the top spot in the young people’s top ten shortlist (73 per cent), with almost three in five (59 per cent) stating they say the phrase to others regularly.
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Top ten little things that mean a lot for young people (18-24 year-olds) |
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1 |
Somebody saying good morning to me (73 per cent) |
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2 |
Somebody sending me a card or letter in the post (70 per cent) |
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3 |
Member of the same sex holding a door open for me (70 per cent) |
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4 |
Member of the opposite sex holding a door open for me (69 per cent) |
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5 |
Someone making me a cup of tea (67 per cent) |
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6 |
Member of the same or opposite sex asking me how I am (64 per cent) |
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7 |
Somebody liking my status on Facebook (63 per cent) |
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8 |
Member of the opposite sex complimenting my appearance (63 per cent) |
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9 |
Someone liking my photos on social media (eg Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) (61 per cent) |
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10 |
Someone sending me a video that they like online (60 per cent) |
Whilst young people state that they do highly value a member of the opposite sex holding a chair out for them, only one in twenty (six per cent) would actually carry out the act frequently for others. Similarly, only one in ten (12 per cent) admit to frequently complimenting someone on their appearance.
Commenting on the research, psychologist Donna Dawson, said:
“When you receive a compliment in person, there is always an emotional and physical reaction to it – whether pleasure, uncertainty, embarrassment or annoyance – which is there for the world to see. This can make you feel vulnerable, especially if you are young and busy seeking the approval of your peer group.
“Clearly it’s the little things that mean a lot to this age group – where a physical show of good manners can feel forced, a simple online compliment somehow never does. A Facebook ‘like’ or a re-tweet provides the best of both worlds for 18-to-24 year-olds: it shows your friends that you are liked by others, without revealing anything about you.”
Commenting on the research, AXA spokesperson Chris Jones, said:
“It’s clear that the little things in life still mean a lot to people but these small gestures are evolving to match the times. Growing up in a digital world, the younger generation have embraced social media as a primary way of engaging with their peers, and so it’s natural that this is where they seek endorsement”
