LIST: 10 extreme excuses people use to avoid a night out

It's my goldfish's birthday, I've broken my leg, and we're trying for a baby are amongst some of the oddest excuses being used by Brits to get out of a night out, according to a new survey.

Half of Brits admit to ditching their friends ahead of a night out in favour of a takeaway and a box set. If FOMO (fear of missing out) was 2015. JOMO (joy of missing out) is 2016.

More than one in ten (12 per cent) admit to lying to get out of plans at least once a fortnight, with almost a third (30 per cent) making up excuses more than once a month, according to the study commissioned by on-demand restaurant delivery service, Deliveroo.

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The average time to back out of plans is 3.25 hours before an event, with a sneaky 13 per cent of us even laying ground work for the eventual excuse the day before.

It’s not just older generations who are shunning a big night out; 72 per cent of 18-24 year olds admit they prefer a quiet evening at home over a night on the tiles.

But are we proud of our anti-social habits? Apparently not. Almost a fifth of us (17 per cent) have pretended to have gone out, when we actually stayed at home.

And the main reason that we accept invitations to events we have no intention of attending is not hurting people’s feelings, according to nearly half (43 per cent) of those questioned.

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Spending money, bumping into people we don’t want to see and travelling to and from the venue are cited as the worst things about going out.

Dan Warne from Deliveroo said: “We’ve discovered that people all over the country are bailing on their social plans at the last minute, instead opting for a quiet night at home, in front of the TV. And the excuses we’re coming up with are pretty starling!

“To celebrate the JOMO, we’re partnering with online video streaming service Wuaki.tv offering everyone who orders a Deliveroo meal on a Thursday a free movie to pair with their favourite food.

“So rather than ditching their friends at the last second, we’re encouraging people to get their friends together for the perfect night in with all of the things they love best: awesome food, a nice bottle of wine and a movie!”

Top ten most popular excuses to get out of a night out:

1. Illness

2. Other plans

3. I can’t make it anymore

4. I don’t want to go

5. I have to look after my pet

6. I have to work late

7. I have to get up early the next day

8. Family emergency

9. I’ve had an argument with my other half

10. No excuse – I just don’t turn up

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