Millions of Brits speak to things that can't talk back, such as their pet, plants and car

A survey of 2,000 adults found more than half are known to chat to inanimate items in their home, while six in 10 consider conversations with their pets to be entirely two-way.

And of the 44 per cent who speak to their plants, almost four in 10 ask if it needs a drink.

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More than a quarter have cursed an object for not doing its job, such as a tin opener not working, while 24 per cent have shouted at their alarm clock to shut up.

Nearly a fifth have pleaded with their car to keep going when it’s low on fuel and more than one in 10 have thanked a cash machine for giving them their money.

Brits are being laughed at when they are caught

It also emerged that six in 10 have been caught talking to an inanimate object, with 60 per cent of those being laughed at as a result.

A spokesperson from TheJoyOfPlants.co.uk, which commissioned the survey, said: “Communication with humans and even other animals is human nature, but it’s funny to see so many people talk to things that can’t hear us.

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“Saying ‘thank you’ to a cash machine does really show how polite us Brits can be.

“I can see how chatting to pets can be seen as a two-way conversation, but it’s endearing to see how many people natter to their plants as if they were part of the family as well.”

The research also found one in five adults talk to their plants at least weekly, with eight per cent chatting to them on a daily basis.

Almost four in 10 thinks speaking to plants helps them grow, while another 37 per cent feel happier after a conversation with a shrub.

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More than four in 10 of those who chat to plants even consider it to be a two-way conversation, with its movements and growth seen as a response.

‘You need a drink’, ‘you’re getting big’ and ‘you’re not looking your best’ were found to be the top comments people make to their plants.

And 57 per cent admit they talk in a ‘loving’ tone.

Plant owners play music to their green companions

Nearly one in five adults polled via OnePoll has also played music to their plants as they believe it helps them grow more, with classical, electronic and R&B the most popular genres.

Michael Perry, a houseplant expert who is working with TheJoyOfPlants.co.uk, said: “The data for this goes as far back as Charles Darwin in the 1700s who recognised vibrations encourage plants to grow.

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“You don’t even have to talk directly to plants – as long as you’re having conversations near them, they’re going to be enjoying those vibrations and it will benefit them.

“When it comes to vocal tones, many feel low, bass-heavy voices are best but in fact, plants respond most strongly to voices in the 115-250hz range.

“For reference, men’s voices are around 85-155hz, while women’s are normally 165-255hz – much better for the plant’s range.

“This can also be applied to music, it’s often seen to be classical music that is best for plants, which is reflected in the survey results – but actually due to classical music featuring so many different frequencies, this isn’t always the case.

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“It’s funny that 59 per cent have been ‘caught’ talking to their plants, and considered strange - is talking to a plant any worse than talking to a dog or a cat in a silly baby voice, just because it can’t move? Not in my book.

“It’s also nice to point out, it’s a symbiotic relationship – those plants are making us feel good, relieving stress and allowing us to focus and improving our mood in a meditative way. You could almost liken plants to being a pet themselves in that way.”

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