Are you a faux it all

New research from leading UK breakdown cover provider Green Flag indicates that we think we are far more levelheaded than others

 Nine in 10 ( 91 per cent of) Brits think they have good common sense - however, only 66 per cent say that their friends and family have good common sense

• Four fifths (80 per cent) of Brits say that common sense is more important than a high IQ
•  Green Flag has created a Common Sense Calculator so people can test how much common sense they have and find out whether they are a Faux-It-All: someone who incorrectly thinks they know better than others
• Try the calculator here: http://greenflag.brightideadesign.co.uk/
   

New research* released today by leading UK breakdown cover provider Green Flag shows that we could be a nation of Faux-It-Alls, who incorrectly view our own perception of common sense as high when friends and family would say we're lacking in it.

The research reveals that 91 per cent of Brits think they have good common sense, showing that we all think that we're street smart. However, only 66 per cent say that their friends and family have good common sense – indicating that we see ourselves as far more practical than we actually are.

When it comes to gender, men value common sense less than women do. Three quarters (75 per cent) of men say that having good common sense is a more important quality than high IQ, compared to 85 per cent of women. Men are more likely to date someone who's lacking common sense – as just 43 per cent of men wouldn't date someone who lacked common sense, while 53 per cent of women would turn down a potential partner if they didn’t possess it.

In the workplace, more than two thirds (69 per cent) of Brits wouldn’t hire someone who lacked common sense and an additional 63 per cent of people wouldn't do business with someone who didn’t have any. In fact, seven out of ten (70 per cent) say that having good common sense is more important than having a university degree.

Green Flag has created a Common Sense Calculator so Brits can test their common sense level, and is encouraging people to take the test to see if they’re in danger of being held back due to lack of it.

Denise Taylor, Chartered Psychologist, commented: "Common sense is a form of practical decision-making that gives us the ability to imagine the consequences of our actions. It stops us making irrational mistakes, and makes it easier to make sound choices.

"This research shows that people perceive themselves as having more common sense than others, making themselves Faux-It-Alls: thinking they know best when often others disagree with them. 

"Many decisions at work and in our personal life are complex, and we need to take a more nuanced view. To do this well we need time to think and to move away from our first thought which is usually the conventional common sense one. Giving yourself time to think will give your brain time to make connections and consider possible mistakes, so the time spent thinking things through is time well spent.

"In the workplace, individuals tend to want to work alongside people who display common sense as it makes life easier; they share a common view on what needs to get done, appreciate the needs of the team and will properly complete a task and meet their deadlines.”

Candace Gerlach, spokesperson for Green Flag, commented: "It's clear from our research that common sense is something that impacts the decisions people make both in work and at home.

"We've released the research and created the Common Sense Calculator to allow people to test and reflect on their own common sense. At Green Flag, we believe that common sense is important, which is why it’s a key factor in everything we do. We've built our offering around common sense – by using a smart network of garages to offer the same service as our competitors."
 

Ends
 

Notes to Editors:

 *Research conducted by Censuswide January 2018

With over 40 years' experience, Green Flag provides customers with breakdown cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Customers have access to a network of breakdown operators across the UK and mainland Europe (Euro Plus cover required).

Green Flag Motoring Assistance is underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Green Flag and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc. 

Customers can find out more about Green Flag products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 1557, connecting via the Green Flag Rescue Me Application, or visiting www.greenflag.com