Americans are Reconnecting Again, Socializing at Home, According to New Lifestyle Poll
17 Mai 2007 - 4:05PM
PR Newswire (US)
The Dish on Today's Get Togethers - What's the Buzz? ENGLEWOOD
CLIFFS, N.J., May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite a culture of
plugged-in, electronic relationships, U.S. adults in large numbers
report they are rejecting isolation to reconnect with friends and
family again. According to The Country Crock(R) Deluxe Side Dishes
"Dish on Get Togethers" survey, three out of four Americans (76%)
are socializing at home -- playing board games and charades,
gossiping, pursuing hobbies together, and having friends over to
watch TV. According to the survey, conducted by Harris Interactive,
nearly six in ten Americans (57%) share time at least once a month
with family and friends. Younger Americans, 18 - 44 years old, are
driving the trend to reconnect -- nearly seven in ten are
socializing at least once a month (67%). Among those 18 - 34, more
than three in ten (31%) get together several times a week or more.
That's What Friends Are For Friends come before family say U.S.
adults. We want to see friends more than our immediate or extended
families (62%, 57% and 24% respectively). In large numbers we are
also socializing with co-workers outside the workplace (67% for
men, 55% for women). "We are making time for friends and family
again," said Jeanne Benedict, author and host /designer of the TV
theme party show, "Weekend Entertaining." "We want to slow down,
relax, and enjoy our time together, without spending hours prepping
in the kitchen." As Americans entertain at home, it's no surprise
that half of those surveyed (50%) say they are looking for faster
food preparation so they can spend more time with friends and
family. "Serving wholesome, easy-to-prepare dishes like those
offered by Country Crock Deluxe Side Dishes allows party hosts to
save time getting ready for their get togethers, while giving their
guests the taste of homemade," says Ms. Benedict. The Country Crock
Deluxe Side Dishes "Dish on Get Togethers" survey, conducted online
among 2,758 U.S. adults, 18 years of age and older, was
commissioned to determine trends on get togethers and social
networking. Friends and Family Around the Tube The data reports
television has become a social medium. American Idol wins as the
most popular show to get together to watch (24%), followed by
Grey's Anatomy (19%), CSI (18%) and 24 (14%). Among comedies,
Family Guy, The Simpsons and South Park are the favorites. Most
Wanted Guests Will Smith, George Clooney and Barack Obama are the
three men we most want at our next gathering (24%, 23%, and 20%
respectively); President Bush finished fourth (19%). Ellen, Oprah,
and Julia Roberts are the top women (28%, 27%, 18%). Women want to
talk most to George Clooney (38%), while men most want to spend
time with Oprah (22%). What's A Get Together Without Food? "As
people make more time for friends and put more time into
relationships, food is the centerpiece of the new social
connection," said Ms. Benedict. "Getting together with friends and
family offers a balance to our hectic world. People are looking to
reconnect with others and get more involved in their networks."
More than four in ten surveyed, say friends and families are
increasingly bringing food to their social gatherings. Side dishes
are the most popular contribution (29%), followed by appetizers
(27%) and entrees (11%). Side dishes are particularly popular among
Americans over 50 (38%), and friends and family gathering in the
South (33%). Friends and family are also contributing drinks (38%),
including alcoholic beverages (28%) and soft drinks or coffee
(18%). When is comes to entertaining at home, four in ten women say
convenience is king -- shorter meal prep and easier clean up are
important. "Country Crock chilled side dishes can provide a simple,
easy-to-prepare home style dish ideal for serving during
meal-sharing get togethers," said Ms. Benedict. "The side meals are
based on difficult to prepare recipes that have been turned into
hassle-free, fully prepared dishes that can be ready in minutes."
So What's the Dish at Get Togethers? According to the survey, when
we get together we share gossip and talk about our children (16%),
our communities (12%), politics (10%), relationships (9%, 15% among
women), movies or TV (8%), and our work (7%). Sex (2%), religion
(2%) and safety/security (1%) are among the least topics at get
togethers. We share time together watching TV (41%), playing games
like cards or charades (39%), reuniting with family (39%), playing
sports (22%), pursuing interests like a book or dinner club, or
hobbies like scrapbooking or knitting (26%). Country Crock's Deluxe
Side Dish varieties include Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Scalloped
Potatoes, Cheddar Broccoli Rice and the classic Macaroni &
Cheese. These hassle free, fully-prepared sides are refrigerated,
never frozen, and ready to heat and serve in just five minutes.
Country Crock Side Dishes come packaged in 21-24 ounce reusable
tubs with lids (approximately four servings per container) and are
found in the refrigerated meat or deli sections of supermarkets
nationwide. About Unilever Unilever (NYSE:UL)(NYSE:UN), one of the
world's largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality
to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and
personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150
million decisions to purchase Unilever products. The company has a
portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get
more out of life. In the United States these brands include
recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli,
Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care
products, Hellmann's, Lipton, Knorr, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips,
Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave and Vaseline. All of the
preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever
Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the
communities where we live, work and play, Unilever in the United
States employs approximately 15,000 people in 66 office and
manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico- generating more
than $9 billion in sales in 2005. For more information, visit
http://www.unileverusa.com/. Contact: Kristen Ryan M Booth &
Associates 212/481-7000 ext. 3225 DATASOURCE: The Country Crock(R)
Deluxe Sides Dishes CONTACT: Kristen Ryan of M Booth &
Associates, +1-212-481-7000 ext. 3225, for The Country Crock(R)
Deluxe Sides Dishes Web site: http://www.unileverusa.com/
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