Dads prefer to show their affection by paying for meals, fixing things around the house – and the thumbs-up emoji.
A poll of 2,000 adults revealed 49 per cent reckon their dad would describe himself as ‘not good at emotional stuff’.
Instead, lending tools, helping with house moves, and checking the tyres and oil in cars were other ways dads show their affection.
It also emerged 35 per cent don’t think their father is good at dealing with emotions – with 14 per cent claiming they have never hugged their father.
A spokesperson from Funky Pigeon, which has created a quiz where you can test how fluent you are in ‘Dad Speak’ and commissioned the research, said: “Sometimes it can be hard to show real emotion.
“For many of us, our dads grew up in a world where expressing emotion wasn’t always encouraged – where a pat on the back might’ve stood in for ‘I love you’, and a raised eyebrow counted as a heartfelt pep talk.
“Times are changing, and while some dads still find it hard to open up, we’re seeing more and more moments where that emotional armour slips – a quiet tear at a wedding, a thumbs-up that means the world.
“These gestures might be subtle, but they speak volumes.”
The study also revealed 19 per cent of those polled have never told their father they love them – and the same percentage have never had a text exchange with their old man.
Nearly three in 10 (29 per cent) have also never heard their dad day ‘I love you’ to them, although women are slightly more likely to hear it than men.
Another 29 per cent would find it emotional if their dad said, out of the blue, he was proud of them, according to the OnePoll.com data.
But some of the most common phrases people do hear from their dad included ‘You’ll be alright’, ‘Need anything?’ and ‘Keep going’.
It also emerged 51 per cent believe their father is not particularly affectionate physically, if at all.
However, it’s not a one-way street, as 25 per cent never ask their dad about his feelings, with 49 per cent rarely or never indulging in a proper heart to heart with him.
A third went on to describe their father’s texting style as ‘brief’, while nine per cent find them littered with emojis.
Funky Pigeon’s spokesperson added: “We often joke about the ‘dad grunt’ — that universal sound that somehow covers everything from ‘I’m proud of you’ to ‘don’t forget your coat’.
“But behind the jokes is a real truth: dads feel just as much as anyone else, even if they don’t always have the words to say it.
“There’s something incredibly moving about seeing a dad trying to express what’s in his heart, especially if it doesn’t come naturally.
“Whether it’s awkward hugs, long silences, or carefully chosen words, those small moments of effort are often the most meaningful of all.”
TOP 20 WAYS DADS SHOW AFFECTION:
1. Being there when you need him, even without saying much
2. Paying for a meal
3. Teaching you how to do something practical
4. Fixing things around the house
5. Driving you places
6. Offering to lend you tools or equipment
7. Helping with your children or pets
8. Helping you move house
9. Making you a hot drink
10. Forwarding you useful links or news
11. Checking your vehicle tyres or oil
12. Giving you a thumbs up
13. Cooking a favourite meal
14. Sorting out directions or the route
15. Giving you a thumbs up emoji
16. Tidying or mowing your garden
17. Reminding you to wear a coat
18. Helping with school or university work
19. Packing snacks or food for a trip
20. Topping up your petrol
0 Тимчасова відмова від усіх обов’язків у відносинах, перерва від усіх сварок, суперечок і спілкування може допомогти з’ясувати як саму ситуацію, так і своє ставлення до неї. Короткочасне переривання відносин не обов’язково означає розставання, але цілком може призвести до рішення розійтися. Коли ви робите перерву, ви піддаєте свої відносини серйозному випробуванню — у яких випадках […]