Most people in Leeds put on a posh ‘phone voice’ when on a call

Research from mobile network operator Talkmobile – who believe conversation is the best communication – reveals that three-quarters (74%) of people in the capital try to sound ‘posher’ on the phone.

The finding suggests most Leeds locals have a bit of Hyacinth Bucket in them - the eccentric, image-conscious lead character in the classic British comedy Keeping Up Appearances.

Doctors and GP receptionists are the most likely to hear a ‘phone voice’ on the other end of the line, while friends and family are the least.

Three in five people living in Leeds try to sound well-spoken when on the phone to their GP (59%), and two in five reserve their plumiest of accents for the GP surgery’s receptionist (43%).

Two in five people in the UK capital talk more eloquently to their boss (41%) and the police (39%), while three in ten try to sound prim and proper when on the phone to a school receptionist (28%) or over a third when chatting to a teacher (35%).

The survey of 2,000 Brits reveals a third of the nation’s phone users mind their Ps and Qs when talking to call centre advisors – news to the ears of Talkmobile’s phone operators, who have won nine customer care awards since 2023.

When revealing their reasons for using a ‘phone voice’, almost a quarter of Leeds locals say it was to ‘sound better educated’ (23%) while three in ten say it is for clarity (30%).

However, a third (32%) say that it just happens automatically without thinking.

One in ten (9%) of Leeds-based Brits admit they try to sound posh to friends, and even engage the ‘phone voice’ for immediate family members; from parents (6%), to partners (6%) and siblings (1%).

The study reveals that UK women (85%) are more likely to have a ‘phone voice’ than men (74%).

Nearly two in five women (38%) admit their phone voice ‘happens automatically’, even when speaking to friends and family on the phone, compared to a quarter of men (24%).

The majority (81%) of Brits know at least one person who has a unique telephone tone – with a third saying a friend (37%) does it while another third saying their mother (33%) is guilty.

And, two in five (41%) women say their mother puts on a ‘phone voice’ compared to less than a quarter (23%) of men.

Talkmobile - who have an industry-leading customer-rated Trustpilot score of 4.7 - is committed to giving UK customers a straightforward mobile service with great prices and great coverage.

A Talkmobile spokesman said: “We’re delighted to hear so many Brits speak the King’s English when chatting with call centre staff.

“At Talkmobile, we’re dedicated to making all conversations with our call centres count, and making sure our staff speak straight, simple English to get to the root of what’s needed fast.

“That’s why we’ve won nine customer care awards since 2023 – because we keep conversation at the heart of what we do, however people choose to speak.”