Two in three Brits embrace the thrill, calling themselves risk-takers
A study of 2,000 adults found the average Brit takes five risks a day - with almost half taking a chance with their money.
Two thirds of Brits consider themselves a risk taker with life’s top little risks including eating something past its sell by date, leaving the house with low phone battery, and not taking an umbrella out on a grey day.
The study of 2,000 adults also saw turning up at a restaurant without booking first, crossing the road on a red man and driving through an amber light appear in the top 30 list of risks taken every day.
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Running from the shower to another room to grab a towel, having a cup of coffee before bed and putting the washing out on the line without checking the weather also featured.
A spokesperson for the Lottoland which commissioned the research, said: "We're a nation of tiny risk-takers. Sometimes the chances we take can pay off – like turning up at a fancy restaurant with no booking, or trying your luck at a card game.
"But others, like going out without your bank cards or driving without petrol in the tank, are probably best avoided.
“We like to say what’s life without taking a chance every now and again? As long as you’re safe and savvy, adding a dash of harmless risk to your day can make the little wins feel like big ones.”
The research also found 65% consider themselves to be a risk-taker in their daily life. With 27% often failing to think through the consequences – although 96% have seen a risky situation pay off in the end. This left 20% feeling exhilarated and 15% like a winner.
It emerged Saturday is the most common day to take a chance and a fifth are most likely to take risks regarding their social life – while only 6% would take a chance when it comes to their job.
However, 42% wished they were more spontaneous or daring – because 52% think taking little risks makes life a bit more fun, according to those polled via OnePoll.
The spokesperson from Lottoland added: “It’s always thrilling taking a chance on something, especially when it pays off, so no wonder so many feel like a winner with these.
“Who knows what we might all be capable of with a little harmless risk in our lives."
TOP 30 LITTLE RISKS
- Eaten something past its sell-by date - 55%
- Left the house with your phone on less than 50% battery - 50%
- Left the house without an umbrella/coat on a changeable day - 50%
- Turned up at a restaurant without booking first - 49%
- Crossed the road when the red man was showing - 45%
- Not bothered to use suntan lotion - 42%
- Not picked up a basket when you go to the supermarket - 43%
- Gone through an amber traffic light - 42%
- Laughed along when you couldn’t quite hear what someone has said - 42%
- Left the house without your phone - 42%
- Ordered something other than ‘your usual’ when eating in a restaurant - 41%
- Ran from the shower to another room to get your towel - 38%
- Left windows open in your house when not there - 38%
- Not closed the curtains or blinds while getting changed - 35%
- Drunk coffee or tea last thing before going to bed - 35%
- Turned off your alarm and shut your eyes for ‘one minute’ - 34%
- Driven with the petrol warning light on - 33%
- Put the washing out without having checked the weather forecast beforehand - 33%
- Trusted the travel time given on Google/Apple maps - 27%
- Not run from a hovering wasp - 27%
- Spent and not checked your bank balance - 27%
- Driven against the direction arrows around a car park - 24%
- Just taking your phone out rather than your cards/wallet to pay for things - 20%
- Guessed someone’s name when you aren’t quite sure of it - 18%
- Sat in a reserved seat on the train - 17%
- Gone out during your parcel/food delivery timeslot - 16%
- Gone on social media or news sites before you’d seen a massively hyped TV show - 15%
- Not turned on your house alarm before leaving - 13%
- Overfilled your hand luggage or used a bag that was too big and hoped it wouldn’t get spotted - 12%
- Sat in the first-class section of the train when you only had a normal ticket - 10%
