The Age of the Fake Friendship

 A new Railcards survey out today sampled 1,000 UK adults to investigate how often people actually bother to travel to visit their friends and how real friendships are faring in the era of texting and social networks.

69% of those questioned are Facebook users, with almost a third (32%) boasting in excess of 170 ‘online friends’. However, 56% of Facebook users admitted to only travelling to see TEN of their online friends regularly. Facebook users aged 51-55 were the worst offenders for not seeing their online friends, on average this age group had 31 Facebook friends but a whopping 78% said they saw five or less online friends face-to-face each month.

And it isn’t just virtual friends that are being overlooked, respondents claimed to have an average of 33 friends in their paper address book – and yet almost half of those people Railcards surveyed (47%) stated they see less than FIVE of them face-to-face on a regular basis. People aged 16-18 saw the most of their friends but even this age group only averaged meeting up with a meagre 12 friends face-to-face each month.

Most people cited time (41%), and the distance they had to travel (27%) as the biggest barriers to meeting up with friends more often. People aged 46-50 were the most time-poor, 50% gave lack of time as their top reason for not meeting up with friends.

TV Relationship expert Anna Richardson comments: “A Facebook friendship is a poor substitute for actually meeting up with a friend as you miss out on the personal engagement and real connection that you need to build a strong friendship. It is difficult to make time for friends when juggling busy lives, but without making the effort, there’s a danger that precious friendships are becoming lost in the digital era. So rather than sending an email or text, next time think about actually travelling to see your friends face to face. Invest in a Railcard, get on a train and give that friendship the time it deserves!”

Railcards give you at least one third discount on all UK train travel. So if you’re still stuck for a New Year resolution or are already fed up with the gym, make an effort to visit friends more frequently in 2010 to ensure real friendships aren’t lost.

About Railcards
Railcards are available to 16-25 year olds, anyone travelling with children, and anyone over 60. For just £26, Railcards allow the holder to save a third of all standard adult fares and up to 60% of kids’ fares for a year. Find out more at www.railcard.co.uk

ENDS
Notes to editors:
o Research carried out by OnePoll on 1,000 nationally representative UK adults in January 2010

o 16-25 Railcard - www.16-25railcard.co.uk
o A 16-25 Railcard is for ages 16 to 25 (plus some mature students)
o Partners include: Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), LoveFilm, Toptable, Orange, Contiki holidays, Bella Italia, Howies, Touchnote.com, Plusbus, YHA, STA Travel and The Gourmet Society membership (including Café Rouge, Prezzo, The Living Room and The Real Greek)

o Family & Friends Railcard - www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk
o A Family &Friends Railcard is for anyone travelling with children aged 5 to 15
o Partners include: Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), LoveFilm, Toptable, Bella Italia, Haven, Glasses Direct, Days Out UK, Ramada Jarvis, Touchnote.com, Plusbus, YHA, STA Travel and The Gourmet Society membership (including Café Rouge, Prezzo, The Living Room and The Real Greek)

o Senior Railcard - www.senior-railcard.co.uk
o A Senior Railcard is for anyone aged 60 or over
o Partners include: Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), LoveFilm, Toptable, Haven, Plusbus, Warner Leisure Hotels, Treyn Holidays, Glasses Direct, Ramada Jarvis, Virgin Wines, The Art Fund and The Gourmet Society membership (including Café Rouge, Prezzo, The Living Room and The Real Greek)

o All Railcards cost £26.00 and can be purchased online or at your local station ticket office

For more information, please contact:
Ben Egan / Rowena Campbell at Clarion Communications on 020 7479 0910 or
began@clarioncomms.co.uk / rcampbell@clarioncomms.co.uk