LONDON – Lots of people act a little ‘differently’ in the privacy of their own home, but new survey finds most adults actually have full conversations with elements that can’t respond! A survey of 2,000 adults in the UK found that more than half regularly “chat” with inanimate objects in the home. Another 60% say they often have “full two-way” conversations with their pets.

Commissioned by TheJoyOfPlants.co.uk and led by OnePoll, the survey also found that 44% of adults talk frequently with their houseplants. In this group, four in ten people usually ask their plant if it is thirsty.

Slightly more understandably, more than a quarter verbally blasted an object or device for not doing its job. For example, people often criticize their TV or coffee maker for not turning on. Conversely, household items sometimes perform their function a little too well. Twenty-four percent admit that they shouted for a revival to shut up. Meanwhile, nearly 20 percent pleaded with their car to keep driving when it ran out of fuel, and more than 10 percent verbally thanked an ATM for handing out their money.

Most of those interviewed were surprised in the middle of a conversation by another human being. Up to six in ten people were exposed by talking to an object and more than half of these situations (60%) ended in laughter.

Plants love to hear a soothing voice

These discussions are also quite frequent. About six in ten adults talk to their plants every week. Eight percent more talk to their plants every day! Almost 40 percent think the pep talk helps their plants grow, while 37 percent say they feel happier after talking with shrubs.

When it comes to specific comments, “you need a drink”, “you’re getting fat” and “you’re not at your best” are the most common things people say to plants. Almost three in five (57%) think they talk to their plants in a “loving tone” and almost one in five have even played music for their plants. Classical, R&B and electronics are the most commonly played musical genres for plants.

“The data for this can be traced back to Charles Darwin in the 1700s who recognized that vibrations encourage plants to grow. You don’t even have to speak directly to the plants – as long as you have conversations near them, they will appreciate these vibrations and it will benefit them, ”says Michael Perry, a houseplant expert working with TheJoyOfPlants, in a report.

“When it comes to vocal tones, many feel low, bass-rich vocals are best, but in fact plants respond most strongly to vocals in the 115-250Hz range. For reference, male voices hover around 85-155Hz, while female voices are normally 165-255Hz – much better for the Plant range.