Three quarters wouldn’t change their dads’ cringey behaviour

The nations favourite ‘Dadisms’ have been revealed – with pretending they’re not asleep, just “resting their eyes”, telling the same story multiple times, and of course, dad dancing featuring on the list.

A poll of 2,000 adults found that while Brits love to moan about their dads’ cringey behaviour, three quarters wouldn’t choose to change them if they could. Other favourites include fixing things around the house, telling corny jokes, and having a favourite chair that no one else is allowed to sit in.

Despite this tendency for Dadisms, three quarters (76%) claimed they don’t find this behaviour embarrassing and prefer to humour their fathers with 62% likely to laugh at their jokes even when they’re not funny.

This may be because 85% partake in Dadisms themselves – with the most common including complaining about the cost of things (28%), falling asleep on the sofa (25%), and sending the thumbs up emoji (17%).

Dad-centric hobbies included watching football, gardening, and DIY – as well as travelling, reading, and going to the pub with his mates.

A spokesperson from Moonpig, which commissioned the research, said: “Dads can make us laugh more than anyone else – even if this isn’t always intentional. And they seem to have so many universal behaviours, as if they’ve been given a manual on what makes a dad a dad.

“This Father’s Day we want to celebrate all father figures and the little quirks that make us love them so much.”

The other ingredients that make up a classic father figure were also revealed, with top traits identified as hardworking, caring, supportive, and reliable. 

To celebrate the father figures in their lives, 73% will celebrate Father’s Day every year – and to commemorate this day, are most likely to buy him a gift, a card, and go out for a meal.

The top factors that influence selecting the perfect card were also identified as humour (50%), a fun and personal design (31%), and a sentimental message about how great he is (30%).

Interestingly, more than half (54%) claimed they are more likely to buy a humorous card to celebrate their dad on Father’s Day than their mum on Mother’s Day – perhaps because 73% hope to see their favourite Dadisms referenced on the cover.

Moonpig’s spokesperson added: “Our father figures can be such a source of inspiration, support, and laughter – which is why it’s so important to celebrate them every chance we get.

“A heartfelt message, inside joke, or personalised reference to the things they love on their Father’s Day card can make all the difference to letting them know how much you care.

“So this Father’s Day, take a moment to revel in those eye-roll-worthy Dadisms and the little things that make your bond so special – and say it all with a card that’s as unique as he is.”