To think talking to 15 sperate people in a day isn't really that many?

[orangesandlemonssaythebellsofstclements]

I've seen a meme going round Facebook three times now. Apparently the average number of different people a person talks out loud to in a day is 15.

The comment section is always full of people saying they don't speak to anywhere near that amount of people in a day and some quite horrified by the mere idea of it.

But on three separate occasions, I think I have had fairly quiet days and each time my number has been between 12-18. Is 15 really very much??!!

Today it has been:
My husband and both of my kids
my daughter's teacher
the lady in tesco express
Another mum I saw in tesco express
3 separate customers
my supplier
Two different people on the phone about a bill
A taxi driver

Total: 13

I've only left the house to do school runs and pop to tesco express while out.

So... how many people do you speak to in a day? For the purpose of the experiment, online or messages does not count. It needs to be spoken out loud.

3 people at home and about 6 people at work. On my WFH days it is fewer. I am a bit of an introvert though!

No wonder working in education is so exhausting!

I just counted up and was quite surprised.

I wfh and sometimes talk to no-one at work out loud, but had 2 meetings today.
(can't delete the smiley, shouldn't be there!)

I've spoken to DP and DD
Good morning to 2 school parents
Chat 1 school parent
DDs teacher
2x Meetings 7 people total
Does the cat count?

Sometimes I might just talk to DD and DP though. And the cat

On a weekday, loads as I work in a school.

On a weekend, possibly only 3 (my husband and 2 children). If we go out then maybe there might be an interaction with staff, but even at the supermarket I do the self scan so unless there is an issue I wouldn't speak to anyone even then!

I will be 7 today and that's more than usual. 15 is a lot when you work from home, for yourself.

DH
DS
DD
Cleaner
Doctor
Doctor 2
Doctor 3
Nurse
Nurse 2
Cousin
Cousin's wife

I was speaking in a zoom call to 30+ people in the one call - does that count?

There were several calls today with different teams or stakeholders/less people but it could easily be 50-100 on an average work day.

I'm studying today so it's my partner, DD and the Amazon delivery person.
If I go in the office it will go up to 20 or more.

What if you speak in a Teams meeting? Do you count everyone that's listening?

Two today… (husband and barman). Three if I can include my dog 🤣

On work days, probably about 40.
Non work days, about 10.

Today it's been 6. Been to the gym and town.

Working from home today so DH, DS, a waitress, 2 shop assistants, DM (phone call if that counts) = 6.

Though often many more, on days I go into the office it would be 20-30 ish.

2 people today. Very quiet day. Usually it’s probably 10-15 and when I am in work 50+

I spend a lot of time alone and sometimes don't speak to anyone in a day. Today it's only been my DH. I'm visiting friends tomorrow so it will be a lot more but it won't be 15. I would rarely speak to that many people in a day. I'm retired and live on the countryside for context.

I've just counted out today's interactions - bearing in mind I don't work on a Friday and spend it with DD:

DH
DD
Chap moaning about someone's parking blocking the pavement (not my car)
Woman running stay and play
Short interactions with a couple of other mums at stay and play
Two women who work at the soft play cafe
Acquaintance I randomly bumped into at soft play cafe

So I make 9 today, but it's loads more than that on a working day. And much less on a quiet weekend day.

In terms of actual meaningful conversation, though, the answer is probably one (DH) unless you count various rounds of negotiation with a 3yo as conversation.

1

Are you unwell? That response seems very unusual.

I work from home. Today I have spoken to two customers on the phone, two colleagues via teams chat and I’ve sent 54 emails. People I’ve spoken to in person = 2. DD and husband at home this morning.

I just remembered I also spoke to the window cleaner today too!

I’m at 7 today, although im on Mat leave and that includes the baby. And that’s proper chats – I also said good morning to about 20 people I passed on a long walk earlier (friendly village!). Those little talks are so important for our mental health, perhaps we should all be aiming for at least 15 a day!

I have days with 0 as I live on my own and sometimes don’t go out.

Working from home might only be 6 when in teams meeting.

Going to work it would be saying thanks to two bus drivers. Chatting to maybe 6-12 people in the office plus the 6 in teams meeting (not in same office)
And if I went to running club I’d chat to another dozen or so max.

As the replies so far suggest - it's going to depend on your job, or on what activities you do.

I like to chat and am quite social, but there will be many a day I speak to far fewer people than that, F2F.

Today, for example, dh left for work before I got up. I did go to the gym and said 'morning' to someone there (but hardly a chat). I then came home. So 1 person.
I'm not going out tonight, so I'll see dh, to make it 2.
But
I've 'spoken' to both dds, my nephew, to an old colleague, to friends I'm meeting up with next week, someone from Church, and some of the neighbours, all on WhatsApp.
Another day, I will speak to 20 or more just at choir, for example.
It really does vary.

Probably 30-40 today in person. More via phone.

Today - DH and DS2 this morning, nanny, neighbour about building works nearby, security at court (two people), client, three witnesses, interpreter, court usher, judge, lawyer for other side, two people working in the cafe, three other lawyers who I met in the cafe at lunchtime, security at court (two different people). So 21 people so far. I'm having a quick meeting / chat with four other neighbours when I get home about the building works over the road, so probably 25 today. Including phone calls, I've spoken to five people by phone today (including my Mum and DS1) and another 1-2 later. 30 ish people today.

I live alone and work remotely, mostly via e-mail with a one-hour in-person meeting each month. I can go days without seeing or speaking to another human being.

Just totting mine up and its 6, two of which live in my house. I've had no meetings today, but there are definitely days when its only my family I speak to!