There's a widespread belief that women's brains are better at multitasking than men, but the scientific evidence on this one is inconclusive. Maybe it's just that these days we have so many calls on our time that to do one thing alone would be a luxury.

But if you try to do too much at once, the danger is that you'll end up doing nothing well.

A new survey has found that almost one in ten parents has forgotten to pick their own child up from school or a club (9%). The worrying Tickbox survey of 1,383 UK adults, from organisational stationery specialist Dodo-Pad reveals a nation of seriously scatty people.

The male/female divide threw up some interesting differences. While a mere 1.8% of women have forgotten their partner's birthday, over three times as many men (6%) have committed the same sin. And nearly three times as many men have also forgotten Valentine's Day (4.7%), compared to 1.7% of women. But interestingly, 45% of women say they have forgotten a friend's birthday compared to just 28% of men who say they have done the same same. Or are men just not admitting to it?

Women are apparently more likely to lose an important document than men, with 44.2% of women admitting they have done it compared to 36.4% of men.


One in ten people have forgotten their own wedding anniversary, while other missed dates included hospital appointments, exams and Mother's/Father's Day. With more than four in every ten people admitting that they've lost an important document such as their birth certificate, driving licence, passport or tickets (41.5%), it's a wonder how this chaotic country gets by.

Three quarters of those surveyed confessed to having a junk drawer where they 'file' or stuff things. And though 58% of people admitting they would find it disastrous if they lost their diary or organiser, more than one in ten (11.5%) have done just that!

What about you – have you forgotten something important because you were trying to do too much? Leave a comment and let us know