We're busy, not lazy

Feb 1 2005 By Helen Logan Evening Gazette

A "do it for me" culture is said to be spreading across the country.

Instead of doing things for themselves, Britons are spending billions on services ranging from takeaway food, shopping, house repairs and even dog walking, according to a new study.

The way this report was painted in some quarters suggested people were just downright lazy.

But I have to disagree with that slant on things.

The problem, I believe, is a lack of time.

The survey of 2,000 people by BT showed that most would rather call in experts for tasks their forefathers would have done themselves, such as decorate the house, repair clothes or cater for dinner parties.

But unlike in years gone by, both parents work full-time in many families today. And in spite of all the talk these days about work-life balance, many people I come across work long hours.

Some don't finish at the office on a regular basis until 7pm, others have to go to business functions in the evening and there are also those who have to be away overnight on business trips.

All this puts pressure on their time as, on top of work, they juggle commitments such as looking after children, caring for elderly relatives, keeping their home in good repair and making sure the garden's tidy.

Kids and family assume priority and the likes of painting and decorating, running repairs and other similar chores become difficult to fit in.

So what is wrong with having the philosophy: If we don't have time to do something and we can afford to pay for it, we will?

After all providing such services must be creating wealth and employment for others.

Takeaway food topped the list of most popular services, although there were growing demands for personal shoppers and fitness trainers.

The BT report reckoned that 15pc of people avoided the equivalent of two days' hard graft by hiring specialists such as cleaners.