The Marriage Expiry Date

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More bad news for new couples and worse news for the old ones. If you never quite understood why your relationships turn rocky after a while, heres some information.

While most newlyweds imagine that they will live happily ever after, the true picture is different, says a new research which found that for an average couple the honeymoon is well and truly over after exactly two years, six months and 25 days. The reason being: by that time, both partners have started to take each other, and their relationship, for granted, according to research.

Researchers found that after second wedding anniversary, men are far more likely to leave dirty washing on the floor and the toilet seat up, while women stop wearing make-up, slouch around in pyjamas and hog the TV remote control. The shocking survey of 5,000 couples by research company OnePoll revealed that more than half feel undervalued in their relationship.

By the third anniversary, things take a bigger U-turn, for 83 per cent say they can't even be bothered to celebrate the occasion, the study found. The research found that during the first few months of marriage, 83 per cent regularly held hands when they went out together, compared with just 38 per cent later on.

Partners would cuddle more than eight times a day before their first wedding anniversary, compared with five or less after a few years of marriage, the study revealed. Forty three per cent have not had breakfast in bed together since they walked down the aisle. And an unfortunate 60 per cent say they have not been surprised with a romantic night out since they got married.

"It would appear many couples are stuck in a rut and, while they still love their other half, they are a little too comfortable in each other's company," the Daily Express quoted OnePoll spokesman John Sewell, as saying. "This poll isn't all negative, however. Despite revealing their bad habits, respondents do still remember the good times when romance was high on the agenda.

"The odd romantic meal would probably be all many couples need to spice things up a bit. And small gestures such as tidying up, helping with the housework and relinquishing control of the TV remote would go a long way," the rep added

A staggering 70 per cent claim little gestures such as flowers, a cup of tea in bed or opening the car door are long gone after the second anniversary. But despite not giving their relationship as much thought as they once did, 61 per cent say they fondly remember the exact date they first laid eyes on their partner.

Whatever the survey might tell, but the couple truly in love would always find methods to revive their charm.