Recent studies show that brits are finding it more and more difficult to separate work and pleasure with a recent study by YouGov and Softwareload.co.uk revealing that one in ten men admits to working while on holiday.The statistic might sound all too drastic (representing 9% of total people asked), startling however is that the vast majority of Britons asked in the nationwide survey (92 %) would have nothing against their loved ones or relatives taking a laptop on holiday with them.

The online study of more than 2,200 members of the Great British public carried out by YouGov and Softwareload.co.uk, also revealed that men are more likely to feel inclined to take their laptops with them on their hols and “work from the beach” than women, with just 4 % admitting to substituting paella and pina colada for mouse and keyboard. The holiday spirit is however far from being crushed, with only five per cent of Britons saying they would choose using recreational software on the laptop – such as educational software – while on holiday over reading a good book.

Softwareload Director, Dirk Lebzien has a very balanced approach to yesterday’s findings: “While holiday is often a time to leave work behind and maybe even switch off the mobile, technology can enhance our holiday time with useful travel guides, language learning and translation apps available for laptops and mobiles,”. “Our research shows that people are comfortable with their partner bringing their laptop computer on holiday with them, and thankfully few people are choosing work when on holiday.”

Whilst taking your latop with you on your hols for business reasons may not be favoured, advancements in technology are definitely encouraging people to think twice before leaving all forms of technological communication at home. Softwareload’s study found that a large number (39 %) of those surveyed are ‘embarrassed’ that they can’t speak the local language on holiday. Women (42 %) are slightly more likely than men (37 %) to feel embarrassed from just using English. 18-24 year-olds (43 %) and 25-34 year-olds (45 %) are more likely to feel embarrassed about not speaking the local language than any other group.27 per cent of 18-24 year-olds said they would find translation software and offline maps stored on their mobile phone useful when on holiday, a higher percentage than any other group. Currently, although 31 per cent of UK holiday makers are aware that travel apps and dictionaries are available on mobile devices, only six per cent of Brits regularly use them – something perhaps to keep in mind the next time you’re browsing through Softwareload’s Mobile Apps!