What would you do if you could turn back time?
31/10/2006
A survey carried out to mark a tribute week on UKTV Gold to the fictional time-traveller Doctor Who, has turned up some interesting results about the ‘wish-lists’ of the over 65s.
More than 1,500 over 65s were questioned about ‘going back in time’, and most of them expressed a desire for a more carefree and rebellious lifestyle if they were allowed to time-travel back to their 20s and start again.
Comments included: a desire for a gap year, "fun" spending, "more sex - why did we let them tell us it was wrong?", "I wish I'd stood up to bullying bosses" and, if they could live their lives again, the chance to change employers regularly, rather than a job for life.
Missed romantic liaisons topped the ‘regret’ list, and 70% wished they had had more sex, with a fifth admitting that they should have married someone else, but couldn’t because of the strict taboos around divorce when they were in their 20s. Second on the ‘regret list’ was wishing they had travelled abroad more.
But the real twist in the tale comes with the results of the survey of an equal number of 20 somethings. They, as the ‘carefree generation’ wished for a more staid life, regretted not having got on the property ladder and over a half regretting squandering money on alcohol, women – and men – and general dissipation.
Somewhat poignantly, nearly a quarter regretted being promiscuous, and 32% regretted losing their virginity when they did. So has the wheel turned?
A wake up call for the Labour Party might be the result that over 40% of them regretted their vote in the last election – and would change it next time round.
Top ten wishes for the over 65s were:
70% - Have more sex
57% - Travel more
45% - Change jobs
40% - Save more
33% - Stand up to boss
21% - Marry someone else
19% - Spend "frivolously"
16% - Set up business
12% - Study harder
7% - Be famous
So what do YOU most regret about your youth, and what would you do differently if you had youur chance again? Email editorial@maturetimes.co.uk.