Researchers who interviewed 3,000 women found that many would rather spend the day with a friend than be with their other half.

调查者采访了3000名女性后发现，许多女性宁愿和一位朋友而不是另一半共度一天。

Six out of ten said they prefer to go shopping with their girlfriends rather than their partner because they offer better, more trustworthy（可靠的） advice.

The survey found that when meeting female¹ friends the women made more of an effort with their outfit²（机构，用具） and spent longer doing their hair and make-up.

And a day out with friends was also likely to cost more money than with their husbands, with women admitting that their friends encourage them to treat themselves more.

The survey was carried out at the Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex.

Lakeside spokesman³ Sophie Scott said: ‘These results will strike a chord⁴（打动心弦） with millions of married women all over the UK.

'After a busy week at work, we all crave⁵ escapism and some “me time”, and it is clear women prefer to spend theirs with girlfriends than partners.

'Spending time with girlfriends and hitting the shops, or stopping for a coffee and a chat, can lift a woman's mood.'

The study revealed⁶ a third of women agreed that they prefer to spend a day off with a friend because they were more fun and more likely to enjoy talking about relationships or gossiping.

Shopping, going to a spa or having a meal and a glass of wine topped the list of activities women enjoyed doing in their spare time.

The survey revealed two thirds of women felt guilty⁷ as they did not catch up with their friends often enough.

Worryingly, one in ten said they were more able 'to be themselves' around their friends, while almost half said they enjoyed the fact they could talk to their pals⁸ about 'anything'.