The Small Acts Which Say “I Love You”
A new poll by Tetley has discovered that Brits express their love and emotion through small but meaningful actions, with two thirds (61 percent) agreeing that in the current climate we need caring gestures more than ever. Making someone a cuppa when they are sad tops the list, followed by sending a thoughtful text and asking someone how their day was. Giving a loved one a foot rub after a hard day at work and letting your partner put their legs up on you on the sofa all made the list of Brits top love language, along with giving someone your last chip and handing over control of the remote control.
Two thirds (62 percent) believe that actions speak louder than words when it comes to showing you care about someone, with 67 percent adamant that caring gestures don’t have to always be big and bold. A further 67 percent would prefer someone to do something small and thoughtful rather than a big and flashy declaration of love. In fact, two thirds (65 percent) go a step further and say that small caring gestures make them feel more loved than big ones and are the secret to a happy relationship.
The survey results come as Tetley is taking to the air with a new TV campaign to emphasise the vital caring role of tea in everyday British life.
Tetley is encouraging the nation to champion these quiet acts of kindness that form the true language of British affection, and care for each other more.
“It’s really encouraging to see how simple gestures and quiet acts of kindness still form the true language of British affection and care for each other,” says Mat Bird, Director of Marketing for Tetley. “It’s no surprise that putting the kettle on comes so high on the list of gestures; making someone a cup of tea is a simple way to communicate so much; tea has a silent language that shows you care and it’s something we should all do a little bit more of.”
93 percent think Brits are reserved when it comes to showing their feelings and emotions, with 61 percent admitting they find it hard and embarrassing telling someone they love them. As a result, three quarters (76 percent) feel more comfortable doing something nice for someone rather than saying ‘I love you’.
On average we do 19 caring gestures a day, compared to saying ‘I love you’ just five times.
Half think they’ve become more caring as they’ve got older with a third (35 percent) believe that younger Brits are less caring than previous generations.
SMALL THINGS BRITS DO, TO LET SOMEONE KNOW “I LOVE YOU”…
- Laughing at someone’s joke – 18%
- Making a cup of tea when someone is sad – 62%
- Sending a lovely text – 52%
- Asking how their day was – 48%
- Buying flowers – 46%
- Looking after them when they are ill – 46%
- Giving a spontaneous hug – 41%
- Complementing on the way they look – 38%
- Holding their hand – 37%
- Cooking their favourite meal – 34%
- Sending a cute meme – 32%
- Baking them a cake – 31%
- Giving a foot rub after a busy day – 30%
- Cleaning the house as a surprise – 30%
- Giving them your last square of chocolate – 27%
- Saving the last biscuit 26%
- Offering to take the bins out – 26%
- Bringing a cup of tea in bed in the morning – 25%
- Letting them put their legs up on you on the sofa – 21%
- Running someone, a candle lit bath – 19%
- Sharing your umbrella – 19%
- Making chicken soup when they’re ill – 19%
- Letting them have your last chip – 19%
- Swapping your meal when your partner ordered badly at a restaurant – 18%
- Knowing how someone likes their tea – 18%
*This research of 2,000 Brits was commissioned by Tetley and conducted by Perspectus Global in March 2025.