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An 'Irish minute' can range from nearly 3 minutes to 11! Here's how long it is in your county...

The survey also found that we lie about being ‘in the taxi’ when we’re running late!

‘I’LL BE THERE in a minute’, it’s a phrase that we hear (or say) practically everyday, but how long is that ‘minute’ actually going to be?

A survey carried out by EBS questioned 1,000 people across the country in a bid to find out just how long the ‘Irish minute’ really is.

While 4 minutes and 59 seconds came out as the official ‘Irish minute’, the term had a different length from county to county, with Leitrim coming in the shortest at 2 minutes 52 seconds and Carlow the longest at 11 minutes and 30 seconds.

irish minute EBS Survey EBS Survey

The survey also revealed that 31% of us also tell fibs when we’re running late with the words ‘I’m in the taxi’ proving to be a popular delaying technique.

What we actually mean is ‘I haven’t left yet’,  ’I'm still ages away’ or, worryingly enough in some cases, ‘I totally forgot’.

taxi

Younger people were the most reliable on this front with 79% of 21-24 years olds saying they are actually in the taxi when they say they’re in it.

However, the same can’t be said for 4% of 30-35 year olds who admitted they’ve said they are in the taxi when in fact they forgot about the meeting altogether.

‘Let’s meet up soon’

The survey also found that a third of us (29%) are lying when we say ‘let’s meet up soon’ and we really mean ‘never’.

Just 38% of us will remain true to our word and aim to meet within the next month.

meet up

The EBS ‘Big Survey of Irish Time’ surveyed over 1,000 people across the country.

Read: You’ll only understand this wild emotional ride if you are constantly late>

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20 Comments
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    Mute Sean O' Donovan
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:08 PM

    These aren’t just closures. These are M&S closures.

    218
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    Mute kevinhunt101
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    May 22nd 2018, 2:31 PM

    WTFOCK. Where can I get my organic tree ripened mango now??? #disaster

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    Mute Michael Kavanagh
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    May 22nd 2018, 2:41 PM

    @kevinhunt101:
    Plant your own perhaps !?!

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    Mute ParSim
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:00 PM

    @Michael Kavanagh: You’d have some job ripening a mango in Irish weather!

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    Mute James O'Brien
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:00 PM

    Won’t be the last either. Rents too high ecommerce winning..

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:11 PM

    @James O’Brien:
    A friend who manages a retail store for a large group that have an online shop as well maintains her shop is now just for trying the clothes on before buying them online.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    May 22nd 2018, 4:33 PM

    Right, except that people don’t mind trying on and don’t want to wait in for deliveries some time today maybe. Ideally M&S would have Click & collect.

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    Mute Michael Kavanagh
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    May 22nd 2018, 5:29 PM

    @P.J. Nolan:
    True – but fitting is important.
    The daughter buys clothes and shoes online and is forever complaining that some sizes are either over or under expectation.

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    Mute Smiley
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    May 22nd 2018, 11:17 PM

    @Fiona Fitzgerald: M&S do have click and collect. Maybe not in Ireland, though.

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    Mute Alchemy
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:23 PM

    Maybe sell clothes that people want to buy , their selection does appeal to an older demographic.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    May 22nd 2018, 4:36 PM

    Their food’s tasty, I sometimes treat myself to the odd meal. And their leg lengths are accurate, credit where due.

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    Mute Smiley
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    May 22nd 2018, 11:18 PM

    @Alchemy: Piffle. I’m in that demographic and I love their clothes.

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    Mute rory burns
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:14 PM

    Mystery how they are still open in Drogheda

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    Mute Rochelle
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    May 22nd 2018, 3:33 PM

    Doesn’t bode well for them opening that Limerick store…

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    Mute Tom Purcell
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    May 22nd 2018, 4:49 PM

    @Rochelle: Keep in mind the mark-up they have on the products sold in Irish shops. They more than cover currency movements – and still manage to compete…

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    May 22nd 2018, 4:26 PM

    If there is a hard border in Ireland thenorth will see the first M&S to close in places like Enniskillen and a few other multi stores too.

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    Mute Michael Fehily
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    May 22nd 2018, 4:52 PM

    Brexit strikes again…!!
    Turnover down due to reduced spending power , due to higher inflation due to 20% drop in the value of Sterling since June 20i16 .

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    Mute Michael Kavanagh
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    May 22nd 2018, 6:17 PM

    Tesco Direct (the non-food online outlet) also shutting up virtual shop.

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    Mute Alex Flynn
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    May 22nd 2018, 5:10 PM

    By 2020 or 2022?

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