Millions Of Brits No Longer Use a Pen - As Email, Texts and Social Take Over
Millions of Brits are no longer using a pen – with a third admitting they barely write any more, according to new research.
The research of 2,000 UK adults was commissioned by pen manufacturers, STABILO, to celebrate National Stationery Week which is taking place until Sunday (30th April).
39 per cent of respondents think handwriting is less important now thanks to email, text messaging and social media. However almost half of people admit they judge people on their handwriting - and six in 10 said their individual handwriting style is important to them.
A spokesman for STABILO said: "While the findings suggest people are writing by hand less frequently now, they also show having a particular handwriting style is important to us. There are more ways to communicate now than ever but handwriting remains a key skill which allows people to demonstrate their individuality. Handwriting is such an important skill to have and one we believe should continue to be taught in schools."
Most Brits, seven in 10, have medium-sized handwriting – 8-12mm in height – which can indicate a reliable and supportive nature. While 46 per cent have a signature differing in style from their handwriting style, which is sometimes an indicator of how someone wants to be seen - not necessarily who they really are.
Handwriting which leans to the right can suggest someone is friendly and this represents 30 per cent of Brits, while left-leaning writing, which is used by around one in 10 people, can suggest a cynical nature.
Over half of respondents said their writing has no particular slant - often indicating someone has a tendency to sit on the fence, but it can also be a sign of having a thoughtful manner. Seven in 10 people said their handwriting is typically joined-up which often signals efficiency and a no nonsense attitude.
When leaving a handwritten note for someone, ending it with a full-stop often signals there will be no further discussion – and 86 per cent of Brits do this. Thirteen per cent of respondents write in capital letters which can be a sign of wanting to be heard and not misunderstood.
Almost half of those polled said their handwriting hadn't changed significantly since they were 16 years old which could suggest a youthful outlook on life. Over a quarter of respondents said their handwriting is typically scruffy, while a third described it as neat.
Writing shopping lists are the most common way people typically write by hand – followed by to-do lists in second place and form filling in third. Seven in 10 UK adults reckon the quality of handwriting in Britain has deteriorated over the past 50 years – with half believing handwriting styles are more diverse now.
A spokesman for STABILO said: "The analysis of handwriting or graphology is a fascinating subject and can be used to interpret all sorts of things about an individual.
"Often our handwriting is saying more about us than we realise and can indicate not just personality traits but also a person's mind set - and even sometimes what their lifestyle choices are."
Are you guilty of using technology over writing? Let us know on Twitter @theladymagazine
The research of 2,000 UK adults was commissioned by pen manufacturers, STABILO, to celebrate National Stationery Week which is taking place until Sunday (30th April).
39 per cent of respondents think handwriting is less important now thanks to email, text messaging and social media. However almost half of people admit they judge people on their handwriting - and six in 10 said their individual handwriting style is important to them.
A spokesman for STABILO said: "While the findings suggest people are writing by hand less frequently now, they also show having a particular handwriting style is important to us. There are more ways to communicate now than ever but handwriting remains a key skill which allows people to demonstrate their individuality. Handwriting is such an important skill to have and one we believe should continue to be taught in schools."
Most Brits, seven in 10, have medium-sized handwriting – 8-12mm in height – which can indicate a reliable and supportive nature. While 46 per cent have a signature differing in style from their handwriting style, which is sometimes an indicator of how someone wants to be seen - not necessarily who they really are.
Handwriting which leans to the right can suggest someone is friendly and this represents 30 per cent of Brits, while left-leaning writing, which is used by around one in 10 people, can suggest a cynical nature.
Over half of respondents said their writing has no particular slant - often indicating someone has a tendency to sit on the fence, but it can also be a sign of having a thoughtful manner. Seven in 10 people said their handwriting is typically joined-up which often signals efficiency and a no nonsense attitude.
When leaving a handwritten note for someone, ending it with a full-stop often signals there will be no further discussion – and 86 per cent of Brits do this. Thirteen per cent of respondents write in capital letters which can be a sign of wanting to be heard and not misunderstood.
Almost half of those polled said their handwriting hadn't changed significantly since they were 16 years old which could suggest a youthful outlook on life. Over a quarter of respondents said their handwriting is typically scruffy, while a third described it as neat.
Writing shopping lists are the most common way people typically write by hand – followed by to-do lists in second place and form filling in third. Seven in 10 UK adults reckon the quality of handwriting in Britain has deteriorated over the past 50 years – with half believing handwriting styles are more diverse now.
A spokesman for STABILO said: "The analysis of handwriting or graphology is a fascinating subject and can be used to interpret all sorts of things about an individual.
"Often our handwriting is saying more about us than we realise and can indicate not just personality traits but also a person's mind set - and even sometimes what their lifestyle choices are."
Are you guilty of using technology over writing? Let us know on Twitter @theladymagazine