So sorry: Sheffield residents ‘apologise more than others’

A new study has found that almost nine in ten Brits regularly say sorry for things that aren’t our fault – with people in Sheffield among the most likely to apologise.
British to a fault?British to a fault?
British to a fault?

More than 90 per cent of those surveyed in the city said they found themselves asking forgiveness for something outside their control, more than any other UK city apart from Norwich, Plymouth and Cambridge.

The survey, by new biscuit brand PiCKUP!, found that almost five in ten would say sorry when someone bumps into them, and almost 30 per cent apologised when someone didn’t hold a door open for them.

Nearly eight out of ten Sheffield respondents claim they have been taken advantage of for being too well-mannered – and as a result, PiCKUP! is launching a nationwide campaign to tackle these traits, believing Brits would welcome the opportunity to act a little bolder.

“We are touring the nation with our ‘Be More PiCKUP!’ campaign"“We are touring the nation with our ‘Be More PiCKUP!’ campaign"
“We are touring the nation with our ‘Be More PiCKUP!’ campaign"

Over the summer, they have delivered more than 1.2m samples of the chocolate biscuit bar with attitude to the Great British public, along with a little tongue-in-cheek wisdom, as well as working with outgoing and outspoken social influencers to positively ‘pick up’ Britain.

Free biscuits

The PiCKUP! tour includes visits to UK cities including Birmingham, Manchester, Brighton, Nottingham and Bristol – and you can try for yourself when they come to Sheffield from Wednesday, 4 September, to Sunday, 8 September.

Claudia Eschbacher, senior brand manager for PiCKUP!, said: “This summer we are on a mission to make Brits more bold as it is madness that so many people feel they are too polite and not outspoken enough.

“We are touring the nation with our ‘Be More PiCKUP!’ campaign and sampling our delicious chocolate biscuit bars, as well as working with experts, influencers and social channels to get Britain on track to being bolder. From Blackpool Pleasure Beach to the Bullring in Birmingham, we are coming to a location near you!”

British to a fault? Other findings include:

Getting short-changed – 13 per cent wouldn't complain if we got the wrong change in a shop

Making a brew – one in five of us don’t say anything when someone at works makes a terrible cup of tea

Creating a stink – 24 per cent of us don't pipe up if people eat smelly food on public transport

Being poorly paid – 77 per cent won’t ask for a raise at work, despite it being overdue

Joining the queue – 30 per cent of us don’t say anything when people push in line

Bad service – 28 per cent don’t grumble if a shop assistant is rude.

So how can we Brits learn to stop being so painfully polite? Award-winning fashion, travel and music blogger Stephi LaReine has some simple but effective advice for that awkward moment of not quite catching someone's name at the party and so you can never speak to them ever again. She recommends: “Give them a nickname so you never have to remember their name again.”

To find out more about the Be More PiCKUP! campaign, follow PiCKUP! on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.