New research has cast a spotlight on some Irish cultural stereotypes, revealing that nearly a third of Irish males (32%) admit they would dial up their masculinity when around other male friends, while 53% of males surveyed admitted they have cried in the last 12 months.

The idea of having a stiff upper lip can definitely be scrapped for the Irish population, as a whopping 73% of all adults surveyed (53% of males and 91% of females) have cried in the past 12 months.

Watching an emotional movie is the most common reason at 37%, with nearly 1 in 5 men (19%) admitting they have cried over a movie. Missing family or friends was the second biggest result with 34% (26% of males vs. 41% of females) having cried in the past year.

Woman come out ahead of men when it comes to crying with frustration over work or personal relationships with 45% of female respondents stating so, compared to just 13% of males. 

Amazingly some 28% of all adults (30% of males and 26% of females) admit to secretly watching TV shows, but pretend not to do so when around friends. Nearly 1 in 4 men (23%) admit to secretly watching TV soaps or talent shows and hiding it from friends and colleagues.

We are a multifaceted group of people it would seem as 47% of all Irish adults admit their personality changes when at work or around friends compared to at home around family members. 32% of all male adults (and almost half – 44% of young males) admit they would dial up their masculinity when around other male friends.

Talking about rugby, GAA or football (20%) is the most common way for expressing their masculinity. Just 5% admitted talking about personal tinder stories to convey a more masculine persona.

The research was conducted by iReach Market Research on behalf of belVita Breakfast as part of the launch of their new range of Soft Bakes and surveyed a national representative sample of 1,000 people in April 2016.