Couples spend 132 hours a year deciding where to eat

The average American couple spends 132 hours a year deciding what to eat, new data reveals.

The question, ‘What should we have to eat?’ can be a daunting one for every couple looking to satisfy their appetites.

And a new survey of 2,000 people in a committed relationship shows 37 per cent of couples regularly having a hard time agreeing on where to eat and just 13 per cent saying this isn’t a problem.

Great debate: Over a third of couples in a new survey admitted that they have a difficult times picking a restaurant together

The dreaded ‘what do you want to eat?’ question is asked 365 times a year (6.67 times a week for the average couple) – resulting in two hours and 32 minutes a week of negotiating on what type of meal to eat.

A unified 11 per cent said they never disagree on what time or type of food to have. But for the majority of survey takers, things don’t always work out so smoothly.

When they can’t come to an agreement, men are the more likely to be the ones to settle for whatever their partner wants, according to results.

Dinner proves to be the most controversial meal time, as 46 per cent of survey respondents said that’s the meal they debate about the most.

The study, by Seated – the restaurant discovery mobile app that gives you credit to Uber, Amazon, or Starbucks every time you try a new restaurant on the platform – examined the thought processes and approaches to eating out and the decision-making process around how Americans narrow down where and what to eat. 

I'll have what she's having: It seems that when the decision is still up in the air, it is more likely to fall on the woman's shoulders

I’ll have what she’s having: It seems that when the decision is still up in the air, it is more likely to fall on the woman’s shoulders

Ladies' choice: It's unclear whether this is because the woman's preferences are deemed more important or if the men are more like to be undecided

Ladies’ choice: It’s unclear whether this is because the woman’s preferences are deemed more important or if the men are more like to be undecided

Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of those surveyed said they regularly find themselves trapped in some sort of food purgatory as their partner seemingly takes forever to decide what they want.

And deciding on a meal is not the end of the food fight. About a third (31 per cent) said their partner frequently claims not to be hungry, but then takes food from their plate.

That may seem like no problem to most, but an irritated 18 per cent are annoyed about sharing food with their partner.

The average couple goes out to eat four times a month and tries a new restaurant at least once a month.

‘Deciding what to eat is more painstaking than it should be,’ said Emily Law, Creative Director at Seated. ‘As the results of the survey show, people tend to deal with unnecessary battles by just trying to come to terms with what type of food to eat.’

No sharing! Nearly a third said their significant others won't get their own food but will later snag some from their partners' plates

No sharing! Nearly a third said their significant others won’t get their own food but will later snag some from their partners’ plates

Keeping it interesting: Of the couples polled, most went out to eat about once a week and tried somewhere new once a month

Keeping it interesting: Of the couples polled, most went out to eat about once a week and tried somewhere new once a month

Most (69 per cent) don’t like to keep going to the same familiar restaurant and are regularly interested in trying new places and different types of food.

But great new discoveries are not always easy to come by, as 61 per cent reported finding it difficult to discover new restaurants.

When looking for a good restaurant, 82 per cent said they frequently try and avoid crowds by going out at a less popular time.

‘The results also show that the majority of survey takers want to try out new places, but often find it difficult to discover new eateries,’ Emily added. 

‘That’s why Seated helps users by narrowing the selection to only vetted, well-regarded restaurants and not only that, gives you serious rewards when you try them.’

‘Our hope is to shorten the decision process on what to eat, and get people dining out and trying new restaurants.’ 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk