New research has revealed that the sofa is the main place where people socialise with their friends and family.
The study of 2,000 UK adults by furniture retailer DFS has found that 30% of Brits spend the most time with their loved ones on the sofa, while 32% love nothing more than socialising with friends in the relaxed environment of a sofa.
Furthermore, when it comes to socialising around a sofa, 43% of Brits say that they find it relatively easy to chat with friends while sitting together.
But while we all seem to love settling around the sofa for a good chat, not everyone behaves the same way in these social situations. Some people like to lead the conversation and keep everyone engaged, while others prefer to sit back and listen to the rest of the group.
Want to find out your own socialising personality? Adrianne Carter, body language expert, has partnered with DFS to outline the five socialising archetypes and how they interact with the people and environment around them.
- The Lounger
Comfort is the first and foremost priority for this person. You might find them under a blanket or surrounded by comfy cushions, tv remote close-to-hand, and their side table of drinks and snacks within easy reach.
The Lounger’s posture will be relaxed, possibly half-sitting or half-lying on the sofa, with legs stretched out or curled up in comfort. Even when forced to share their sofa space, you can bet these loveable loungers will want to take up the most space.
So, whatever they’re doing, whether it’s watching TV or chatting to friends, the Lounger’s whole set-up is about ease and comfort.
- The Connector
Front and centre of the sofa, the Connector wants to be able to see and connect with everyone in the room. They will be well-prepared with drinks and snacks to ensure everyone has what they need – which means no one needs to leave the sofa during their time together!
Connectors are always alert and focused, with their posture displaying openness to the entire group. This means a lot of arms gesturing, hands animatedly emphasising points in conversations, and frequent smiles that reach everyone in the room. They also often lean slightly forward to show their engagement and interest in their guests.
At their heart, the Connector just wants to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for everyone involved.
- The Thinker
Also known as the Listener, the Thinker will use the sofa as a space to gather their thoughts when they’re on their own, and then listen to others when they have company.
There’s nothing hurried or lively about this particular sofa sitter. The Thinker will always strive to be thoughtful and considerate, with their body language allowing space for others to join them on the sofa.
Then, when they are in listening mode, Thinkers will maintain steady eye contact, nodding and leaning in to show they’re fully present in the conversation. Their open posture and gentle touches convey their genuine interest and support, no matter who’s talking.
- The Busy Bee
Some people love to turn their sofa into an unrivalled zone of productivity. The Busy Bee is one such person, tackling work tasks or personal projects with ease, benefiting from the relaxed yet focused environment.
As you may expect, Busy Bees just cannot sit still. They are up and down off the sofa, in and out the room, shifting from seat to seat. However, ultimately, they always come back to the sofa to get to the task at hand.
Don’t worry about disturbing this person, either. The Busy Bee will probably have the telly on and are more than capable of holding a conversation, with their body language showing a blend of relaxation and focus.
They might sit with good posture, laptop or tablet in front of them, leaning slightly forward as they dive into their work. Busy Bee gestures are purposeful, tapping on the keyboard or making swipes on the screen. What’s more, their occasional nods reveal their engagement with their work and the conversation around them.
- The Entertainer
Always energetic and lively, the Entertainer transforms the sofa into a platform for fun and games. They regularly host game nights and lively gatherings, where the sofa becomes the hub of excitement and laughter.
As such, the Entertainment thrives in a group, rather than sitting on their own, and is always happy to share with everyone.
Their body language radiates energy, too. They might even jump on the sofa on occasion, engaging in enthusiastic gestures while explaining the rules of a particularly complicated game. Laughter and wide smiles are constants all the while.
In the eyes of the Entertainer, the more people on the sofa, the merrier!
To find out more about the Heart of the Home study, and find a sofa that suits your living space, visit the DFS website.
