London - Almost a fifth of us are so demanding we expect hourly contact from our other halves, a study reveals.
And nearly a third of Britons (30 percent) will be “very angry” if they get ignored by a friend or partner.
Almost a quarter (22 percent) feel poor communication is the cause of previous relationship breakdowns and 16 percent expect hourly contact from their partners.
The study for energy supplier E.ON found that we value similar attributes in both business and personal relationships.
It found the most important attributes for maintaining strong relationships with friends and partners are are trust (71 percent), loyalty (55 percent) and humour (47 percent).
Meanwhile the attributes people see as most important when it comes to companies are trust (60 percent), honesty (53 percent) and loyalty (42 percent).
The study indicated how communication is a huge factor with both personal and business relationships.
Almost a quarter (22 percent) feel poor communication is the cause of previous relationship breakdowns.
One in six Brits (16 percent) expect hourly contact from their other halves.
And despite almost a third (29 percent) frequently changing their romantic relationships, almost half (40 percent) have stayed with their energy supplier for five years or more.
The study also showed the companies and businesses people feel strong ties to.
When it comes to business relationships, water companies (two percent) are the organisations we are least likely to feel strong ties to.
This is closely followed by councils (three percent) and energy providers (four percent).
Supermarkets (18 percent), banks (16 percent) and sports teams (15 percent) are the organisations we have the strongest relationships with.
Dr Lynda Shaw, Psychologist and Relationship Expert, said: “When forming any type of relationship, trust is crucial - whether it's with a romantic interest, hairdresser or an energy company.
“Trust stimulates the hormone oxytocin in the brain and this enhances trust.”
This wonderful feedback loop aids bonding and loyalty.
“It is however, also known to strengthen social memories which means that when we're let down by those in whom we've placed our trust, the effect is amplified.
“That's why it's so important to gain trust and keep it.”
Fiona Stark, Corporate Affairs Director at E.ON, said: “Our research shows that trust is the most important trait in both personal and business relationships.
“Distrust is the most frequent cause of relationships breaking down.”
Daily Mail