Cash makes us smile

Trusted article source icon
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Profile image for This is Gloucestershire

This is Gloucestershire

Finding cash and baby giggles are among the top 20 things which make us smile, according to a new survey.

The research, carried out by Co-operative internet bank smile, reveals the top twenty things most likely to bring a grin to our face.

Among the things making the list are bank holidays, hearing a song from your past and seeing an old friend.

However, the old adage that money can’t buy happiness appears to be untrue, as the research showed that finding a ten pound note in an old pair of jeans is the moment most likely to make us smile.

The findings also proved that reminiscing brings back happy memories, with almost half of respondents revealing that looking back at old photographs (47%), hearing songs that remind them of the past (45%) and even fitting into a pair of jeans that used to be too small (41%) makes them smile.

As Britain’s obsession with weather never seems to dwindle, it is clear that good weather also raises a smile, with sitting in the sun (46%), booking a holiday (39%), landing at the holiday airport (33%) and swimming in the sea (28%) also popular choices.

John Barker, head of smile, said: "At smile we understand that money doesn’t buy happiness, but, during the current financial climate we also understand that having financial security and not having to worry about your finances and in particular who you have chosen to bank with is the ultimate ‘smile’ maker."

The full list is:

1. Finding a ten pound note in an old pair of jeans (69%)

2. Hearing a baby giggle (51%)

3. Seeing an old friend (50%)

4. Looking back at old photographs (47%)

5. Sitting in the sun (46%)

6. Hearing a song that reminds you of your past (45%)

7. Winning ten pounds on the lottery (44%)

8. Finding a bargain in the sales (44%)

9. Waking up on a Saturday and realising it is the weekend (41%)

10. Fitting into a pair of jeans that used to be too small (41%)

11. Seeing old people holding hands (39%)

12. Booking a holiday (39%) 

13. Bumping into someone you haven’t seen for ages (37%) 

14. Finding out someone likes you (36%) 

15. Landing at the holiday airport (33%)

16. Someone offering an elderly person their seat on a bus or train (31%) 

17. Watching other people fall over (30%) 

18. Bank holidays (29%) 

19. The smell of a Sunday Roast (29%)

20. Swimming in the sea (28%)

Do you agree with the list? Whatever makes you smile, use the form below to let us know...

1
Tweet this article
Report

Comments

  • Profile image for This is Gloucestershire

    by ann, Cheltenham

    Wednesday, July 08 2009, 10:41AM

    “My dog makes me smile with her funny antics, --she heads a ball when I ask her, -- and will purposely find a sqeak on a toy, -- she also makes me smile when she cuddles her toy badger after a long walk.”

        Add your comments

        max 4000 characters