An Ice Cold Pint and Staring Out of a Plane Window

A cold pint in the pub with pals, looking out of a plane window, hugging a loved one and simply meeting a friend for coffee have topped the list of the most definitive things that Brits have missed during lockdown.

Researchers surveyed the nation and discovered a host of simple activities many of us have realised the true value of over the last few months, with many saying they miss throwing a dinner party for friends.

While 18 percent cannot wait to go to a football match once again, 36 percent are looking forward to the first big family get-together, post lockdown.

But the research reveals that, simply being able to meet a friend for coffee is the activity Brits have missed the most (38 percent), followed by hugging loved ones (36 percent).

Overall, nearly half of those surveyed by family food brand Higgidy, admit they took too much for granted before lockdown, while two thirds say the current crisis has made them appreciate the simple pleasures in life. 

Good health (70 percent) and friends and family (65 percent) emerged as reasons Brits feel fortunate.

Camilla Stephens, Founder of Higgidy, which commissioned the study, said: “Lockdown has given us a new found appreciation for the simple pleasures in life that we currently aren’t able to enjoy at present, as well as rediscovering the beauty of everyday things that we have had more time to enjoy such as a lazy lie in and eating good food. 

“Unsurprisingly, nine in ten of us have vowed to enjoy them long after lockdown has ended and that’s why we’re launching a nationwide competition inspiring families to capture the moments that have made us smile during lockdown and celebrate the ordinary becoming extraordinary.” 

Enjoying great food with loved ones is also something we will never dismiss again, as is checking out a new restaurant (22 percent), sharing plates of food with friends (19 percent).

And the places we have learnt to appreciate more have been revealed, with the hairdresser taking joint first place with doctors’ surgeries (44 percent), followed by dentists, our favourite restaurant and the local pub.

The research of 2,000 Britons revealed that a third of Brits have rediscovered some simple pleasures including gardening, the sound of silence (32 percent) and a good book (31 percent) since lockdown.

THE THINGS BRITS WILL NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED AGAIN

1. Meeting a pal for coffee             38%
2. Hugs                           36%
3. Big family get togethers             35%
4. Shopping trips                      34%
5. Trips to the hair salon                     30%
6. A pint in the pub with friends             28%
7. Mini-breaks                      28%
8. Road trips                       27%
9. Beer gardens     26%
10. Watching live sport on the TV            23%
11. Catching a film at the cinema            23%
12. Nights out on the town  23%
13. Checking out a new restaurant         22%
14. Non socially distanced picnics         20%
15. Looking out the window of a plane    19%
16. Sharing plates of food with friends     19%
17. Going to the theatre                  18%
18. Going to football matches                 18%
19. Museum visits                      15%
20. Kissing friends on both cheeks         15%
21. Dinner parties                      14%
22. Gigs                           14%
23. Going to the gym                  13%
24. After work drinks with colleagues        11%
25. Going for cocktails                  11%