By Salma El-Sakka
New data commissioned by Sky Mobile reveals that Britons participate in an average of 151 group chats per year, with nearly half of the UK population having social plans that never progress beyond the planning stage. Staycations, pub catch-ups, and birthdays are among the most commonly discussed but never booked events.
Eight group chat archetypes identified
The study identifies eight distinct personality types in group chats: the organiser, the nonchalant "I'm easy" friend, the ghoster, the last-minute responder, the meme-sender, the flake, the unfocused yapper, and the instigator who suggests plans without handling any of the administrative work.
Ghosters ranked most annoying
Among 2,000 people surveyed, 36 percent said never committing to plans in the first place is the most irritating attribute, pointing directly to the ghoster archetype. While this may stem from anxiety over saying no, the research suggests the kinder approach is to decline early so others can move forward without weeks of waiting.
Instigators also frustrate
Instigators, who throw out ideas but leave the organisation to others, annoyed 22 percent of respondents. This behavior effectively turns friends and family into unpaid travel agents and personal assistants for the person who proposed the plan.
Generational reliance on digital planning
Younger generations are significantly dependent on group chats for social connection, with 81 percent of Gen Z relying on messages, polls, and quick replies to create plans. As loneliness rates rise among young people in the UK, e-invite etiquette is becoming increasingly important for maintaining relationships.
New tools aim to improve planning
Services like Partiful are growing in popularity for casual e-invites, while WhatsApp broadcast messages increase reply likelihood by moving conversations to one-on-one chains. Experts suggest securing individual commitments before opening plans to larger groups to improve coordination and consensus.
