Fewer of us bother to keep up with the Joneses

Most of us are more concerned about what our friends think of us than how we are perceived by our neighbours, a survey has found. Photo / Supplied

Britons frequently compare their achievements with their friends' successes rather than with those of their neighbours, according to a survey released yesterday.

Website thecomparisons.com, said 39 per cent of 1,100 people surveyed across the UK compare their success and social standing primarily with that of their friends.

Just 4 per cent graded themselves against their neighbours, signalling the growing redundancy of the term "keeping up with the Joneses", while 2 per cent said they use celebrities as a barometer of social status.

A third of all people admit to making up lies to impress others, with the most common fibs involving love (35 per cent), and salary or career qualifications (32 per cent).

Women were twice as likely as men to lie to impress their boss, while men were more likely to stretch the truth to friends.

The survey shows women were more jealous than men and were 10 per cent more likely to secretly resent their close friends.

- REUTERS