Can you keep a secret, dear? Of course (for 32 minutes at least)

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated:

Share your deepest secrets with her, and she will no doubt promise never to tell.

But beware of putting your trust in a woman – for the likelihood is she will have broken your confidence barely half an hour later, a study has shown.

Researchers discovered that 85 per cent of females relish hearing juicy titbits of gossip but many are unable to keep it under wraps for long

Researchers discovered that 85 per cent of females relish hearing juicy titbits of gossip but many are unable to keep it under wraps for long

Researchers found that women are overcome by the desire to gossip and can typically wait  no longer than 32 minutes before spilling the beans.

Depending on who the gossip is about, their husband, mother or best friend are most likely to be the initial recipients of the information.

The study of 3,000 women by facial skincare brand Simple found one in ten admits being unable to keep a secret – no matter how  personal or confidential the news is. And  85 per cent said they relish hearing gossip  from others.

But many women are putting themselves at risk of betrayed confidences, the survey revealed, with nearly half saying they often felt the need to offload their secrets to someone.

 

Poll

Are you good at keeping secrets?

Are you good at keeping secrets?

Now share your opinion

  •  

Almost half questioned said that they often felt the need to offload their secrets to someone while a sneaky 13 per cent said they intentionally relayed gossip so that it would spread.

A spokesman for Simple said: 'This poll clearly shows that women really struggle to keep secrets.

'Spilling the beans in just 32 minutes is very fast work, but with modern technology someone's juicy secret can be spread to huge amount of people all over the world in a very short space of time.

‘We are all guilty of sharing people’s secrets but there is a  difference between idle chit-chat and sharing someone’s most sacred secret.’

And Dr Christine Bundy, senior lecturer in health and medical psychology at the University of Manchester, said: 'Women need to decide what to reveal and what to keep to themselves, putting themselves into the position of a friend or family member.

'If they believe that it will cause upset by sharing their secret, it's probably advisable to keep it under wraps - especially if it's personal or important.

‘Everyone remembers a betrayal and it is probably not worth it for a bit of gossip.'

Most watched News videos