Children with respect, service with a smile and family meals at the dinner table
25 July 2008
Britons want a return to values of the past.
As Britain struggles with growing fear of crime, soaring inflation, failing pension provision and a fast food generation new research by Chelsea, the UK's fifth largest building society, shows consumers want a return to the values of the past.
The study of 1,424 consumers revealed that 87% of respondents believe manners and respect are missing among today's children and 71% wish to reintroduce regular family meals around the dining table. All age groups including both men and women also believe that children are being encouraged to grow up too fast and feel it important that they be allowed to act like children for longer (69%).
Top values Britons would like to see a resurgence of in today's society:
- Employment - A job for life (62%)
- Service - Service with a smile (79%)
- Community - Children able to play outside their houses (72%)
- Financial Security - Simple financial products (63%)
- Manners - Children with manners and respect (87%)
- Pace of Life - Less fast food (54%)
- Family - Family meals around the dining table (71%)
Today's fast paced society and rising fear of crime rates is also blamed for the breakdown of communities. Seventy two percent of respondents believe it is growing more difficult for children to play safely outside their own homes and 70%, with greatest concentration among 45-65 year olds, express a desire to return to a time where people actively sought to help their neighbours. In addition, as supermarket giants take over the high street, 63% also wish for the return of their independent local butchers and shops.
With regards to the changing nature of employment, service levels and financial security, respondents also express some strong desires for values of the past. Sixty two percent wish to reinstate job security with jobs for life and a company pension (57%) and an overriding majority of respondents simply wish to see a return of service with a smile (79%).
It is the older generation, however, that is most frustrated with foreign call centres; 55% of 45-54 year olds and 61% of 55-64 year olds wish to significantly reduce their numbers. Fifty seven percent of all respondents want more trust in financial institutions and 63% desire the return of simple financial products without hidden costs or small print.
Darren Stevens, Director of Customer Services at Chelsea Building Society, commented;
‘Despite the advantages of modern society, many consumers wish life were simpler and less pressured. With the extensive media coverage surrounding crime, childhood obesity, extended working hours and downgraded service it is unsurprising that people will hark back to the 'good old days'. However, all is not lost. With concerted efforts, businesses, families and individual's can bring aspects of the past back into their modern lives.’
‘At Chelsea Building Society we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and uncomplicated, straightforward financial products. By retaining certain values of the past and embedding them in our plans for the future we hope to be able to satisfy customers young and old for many years to come.’
Table 1: Employment values and practices people would like to reinstate
| Value/practice | Total | Men | Woman |
|---|---|---|---|
| A job for life | 62% | 61% | 62% |
| A company pension | 57% | 57% | 58% |
| A commute under 45 minutes | 55% | 53% | 56% |
Table 2: Service values and practices people would like to reinstate
| Value/practice | Total | Men | Woman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service with a smile | 79% | 68% | 84% |
| Companies happy to assist you | 73% | 70% | 75% |
| Consistent and personal service | 50% | 47% | 52% |
Table 3: Community values and practices people would like to reinstate
| Value/practice | Total | Men | Woman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children able to play outside their houses | 72% | 68% | 74% |
| Helping out your neighbours | 70% | 66% | 72% |
| Independent local shops | 63% | 59% | 65% |
Table 4: Financial Security values and practices people would like to reinstate
| Value/practice | Total | Men | Woman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple financial products | 63% | 58% | 87% |
| More trust in financial institutions | 57% | 57% | 57% |
| Less choice and confusion between products | 35% | 34% | 35% |
Table 5: Manners people would like to reinstate
| Value/practice | Total | Men | Woman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children with manners and respect | 87% | 81% | 89% |
| Saying please and thank you | 84% | 79% | 86% |
| People vacating their seats for the elderly etc | 74% | 66% | 77% |
Table 6: Pace of life values and practices people would like to reinstate
| Value/practice | Total | Men | Woman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less fast food | 54% | 48% | 56% |
| More outdoor activity | 51% | 47% | 53% |
| Sunday as a day of rest | 48% | 42% | 50% |
Table 7: Family values and practices people would like to reinstate
| Value/practice | Total | Men | Woman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family meals around the dining table | 71% | 65% | 73% |
| Children being children longer | 69% | 56% | 75% |
| Family day trips to the zoo, beach etc | 69% | 58% | 73% |
Notes
1,424 UK residents were surveyed between 25th June and 15th July 2008 using an internet research tool. They represent a variety of income brackets as well as regions.
For further information please contact:
The Wriglesworth Consultancy
| Contact name | email address | Contact phone number |
|---|---|---|
| Lee Blackwell | l.blackwell@wriglesworth.com | Tel: 020 7427 1400 |
| Emma Bowden | e.bowden@wriglesworth.com | Tel: 020 7427 1400 |
| Beth Murray | b.murray@wriglesworth.com | Tel: 020 7427 1400 |
Chelsea Building Society
| Contact name | email address | Contact phone number |
|---|---|---|
| Vicki O'Connell | vicki.o'connell@thechelsea.co.uk | Tel: 01242 271466 Tel: 07774 169535 |
About Chelsea Building Society
Chelsea is the UK's fifth largest building society with assets of over £13billion; they pass on the benefits of their mutual status through lower rates for borrowers and higher rates for savers. Chelsea is one of the most efficient building societies in the country and hugely successful at what they do, lending safely and providing a secure home for people's savings. With a strong commitment to corporate responsibility, Chelsea was one of the first in their sector to launch a report and website dedicated to the work they do.
For more information on Chelsea's corporate responsibility visit www.chelseacares.co.uk
