New research reveals most awkward Christmas conversations, as third of nation ‘out of practice’ for festive season

Samsung KX partners with comedian and TikTok star Abi Clarke to bring the most awkward Christmas conversations to life with comedy sketch

Abi Clarke in ‘The Type of School Friends you Catch Up with at Christmas’ at Samsung KX

Monday 20th December 2021 LONDON, UK – With this Christmas being the first time in two years that we will celebrate the festive season with extended family and friends, a new study^[1] reveals over a third (38%) of Brits admit to feeling ‘out of practice’.

Commissioned by Samsung KX, the research reveals the conversation topics we’re dreading this Christmas and the most awkward moments of the festive season.

Almost a quarter of the nation don’t enjoy small talk over the festive period, with 41 per cent feeling ‘awkward’ and ‘embarrassed’ when being quizzed on their love life and 15 per cent admitting they get uncomfortable when answering questions about their career too.

However, Brits are still looking forward to the Christmas season, with festive favourites including tucking into the turkey (51%), watching Christmas movies (41%) and opening presents (36%) coming out top.

Samsung KX has partnered with comedian and TikTok star Abi Clarke, who entertained the nation throughout lockdown with her relatable comedy sketches, to bring to life some of our most awkward Christmas conversations.

Available to watch on the Samsung KX content hub, Abi showcases the trials and tribulations of conversations with our old ‘home friends’ at Christmas, such as ‘the one who is now engaged’ as the study reveals that a third feel uncomfortable meeting up with friends from home, but still do it, every year.

The research also found that a third (32%) of the nation expect to be interrogated by relatives and aren’t looking forward to it this year. Conversational bugbears we’re dreading include ‘what’s happening in your love life’ and ‘have you found yourself a nice partner yet?’. Other eye-rolling topics include ‘when are you going to have a baby’ and ‘why aren’t you married?’.

And those polled are in a festive fret with good reason, as over half (57%) said they get asked the same questions every year. When it comes to the topics we’d rather avoid, sex topped the list (39%), followed by love life (31%), politics (29%) and money (28%). And a fifth (21%) of respondents would rather leave Covid-19 chats behind over the festive season, too.

Abi uses the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3, crafted to give users the best capabilities for capturing and sharing memories, to film the entire sketch. For those who want style that comes with function, the Galaxy ZFlip3 is the ideal device with its stylish, sleek, compact, and iconic design and enhanced camera features. Unfold and snap a stunning selfie with Z Flip3’s studio-quality camera features with Flex mode, then add to your social feed, which scrolls smoother than ever.

Abi Clarke said: “I always like to make sketches that people can share and tag each other in, and the festive season is a time where we can all relate to similar observations and annoyances.

“There’s at least one character we can all recognise, whether it’s an old school friend trying to find the perfect baby picture (that you never asked to see) on their Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3, or the fitness fanatic showing off their running routes.”

Ashrita Seshadri, Head of Brand Marketing, Samsung UK, said: “We’re delighted to collaborate with Abi Clarke to bring to life some of the nation’s anticipated awkward conversations and get people laughing together this Christmas, finding joy in those silly, relatable moments we all experience every year.”

The most-dreaded questions at Christmas:

1. Have you put on weight?
2. What’s happening in your love life?
3. Have you found a partner/boyfriend/girlfriend yet?
4. When are you going to have a baby?
5. Why are you still single?
6. Why aren’t you married yet?
7. When are you going to get married?
1 Nationwide survey polled 2,000 adults, commissioned on 24th November 2021.
8. Do you still see/hear from your ex?
9. When are you going to get a proper job?
10. When are you going to buy a house?
11. Would you like children one day?
12. When are we going to meet your new boyfriend/girlfriend?
13. Why did you do that to your hair?
14. What happened to that nice person you were dating?
15. When are you going to move out?

Watch Abi Clarke’s sketch, ‘The Type of School Friends you Catch Up with At Christmas’ on the Samsung KX content hub.

The perfect gift for loved ones, or for yourself, this Christmas, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 is available now in a range of stunning colours from Samsung KX, Samsung.com and selected retail partners.