Lifestyle

Holiday Shopping Kicks In To Overdrive

Off we go! The number of Americans who have started their holiday shopping has jumped dramatically following the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales weekend.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults have now started to shop for the holidays. That’s up 20 points from 34% two weeks ago and up six points from the 48% who had begun holiday shopping by this time last year. Forty-four percent (44%) still haven’t begun shopping yet. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 30-December 1, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Give Thanks

An overwhelming majority of Americans have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving which many will be spending at home.

Just 49% of American Adults consider Thanksgiving one of the nation’s most important holidays, but 84% think they have a lot to be thankful for today, little changed from last year. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only four percent (4%) consider Thanksgiving Day one of the least important holidays, while 45% rate it somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.)  

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

This survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 25, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

More Americans Have Thanksgiving Travel Plans

One-in-four Americans plan to be out of town this Thanksgiving.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of American Adults plan to travel away from home over the long holiday weekend, up from 22% last year and 18% in 2012. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

This survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 25, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Say Wait For Official Charges Before Pulling Cosby Shows

Though nearly half of Americans think it’s likely the recent sexual assault allegations against comedian Bill Cosby are true, they still think television networks should hold off on pulling his shows until he is officially charged with a crime.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of American Adults have a favorable impression of Cosby, including 16% who have a Very Favorable impression of him. Thirty-six percent (36%) view “The Cosby Show” star unfavorably, including 14% with a Very Unfavorable impression. Another 22% are not sure what they think of Cosby. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).    Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on November 23-24, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Expect Violent Protests in Wake of Ferguson Decision

Americans strongly believe there will be violent protests if the white police officer who killed black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri is not charged with murder, and they continue to think those protesters will mostly be criminals taking advantage of the situation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 81% of American Adults think it’s at least somewhat likely that there will be violent protests if Officer Darren Wilson is not charged with murder in the shooting of Brown. Just 10% don’t think there will be violent protests. This includes 57% who say the protests are Very Likely and just two percent (2%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national telephone survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on November 19-20, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Who’s Your Competition on Black Friday?

One-out-of-three Americans think they’ll be among the holiday shopping crowds this Black Friday, but there’s still not much enthusiasm for going to stores that begin their sales early on Thanksgiving Day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of American Adults think they are at least somewhat likely to go shopping on the day after Thanksgiving to take advantage of Black Friday sales deals. That includes 14% who are Very Likely to do so. But 66% consider Black Friday shopping unlikely, with 35% who say it is Not At All Likely they’ll be in the stores that day. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Few Expect Ferguson Police Officer To Be Charged

Americans don’t expect the white police officer who killed black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri to be charged with murder and oppose the U.S. Justice Department trying to prosecute him after that.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of American Adults believe police officer Darren Wilson should be found guilty of murder in the Brown case. That’s unchanged from mid-August just after the shooting occurred. But now 39% think the officer was acting in self-defense, up from 26% three months ago. Thirty-eight percent (38%) are still undecided, but that compares to 51% in the first survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national telephone survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on November 19-20, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

72% Think Stores Start Christmas Season Too Soon

Walking through any malls or stores across the country right now probably yields a familiar sight—Christmas trees, holiday music and seasonal decorations, and they’ve probably been there since Halloween. But how soon is too soon?

Nearly three-out-of-four American Adults (72%) think stores start the Christmas season too early, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 19% disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Plan on Spending More This Holiday Season

Americans are in a more generous mood this holiday season, but they’re off to a slower start when it comes to shopping.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of American Adults have started their holiday shopping already. That’s down slightly from 37% a year ago at this time but a bit better than the 32% who had already begun shopping in mid-November 2012. Sixty-three percent (63%) haven’t got started yet. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

68% Say It’s Impossible to Keep Internet Searches Private

Americans are confident in the privacy of their own Internet communications but still agree it's no longer possible to guarantee complete online privacy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Internet Users believe their Internet communications are at least somewhat private now, including 16% who believe they’re Very Private. Twenty-nine percent (29%) do not think their online communications are private, including nine percent (9%) who don’t think they are at all. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.  

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on November 11-12, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

61% Oppose Federal Regulation of the Internet

Americans really like the online service they currently have and strongly oppose so-called “net neutrality” efforts that would allow the federal government to regulate the Internet.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 26% of American Adults agree the Federal Communications Commission should regulate the Internet like it does radio and television. Sixty-one percent (61%) disagree and think the Internet should remain open without regulation and censorship. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.  

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on November 11-12, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Money Matters When It Comes to Support for Mass Transit

A majority of Americans thinks the federal government should support more mass transit projects - unless the projects lose money.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults think the federal government should do more to encourage use of mass transit services in this country, including funding more public transportation projects. Thirty-four percent (34%) are opposed to more government promotion of mass transit, while 14% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.  

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on November 9-10, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Overwhelmingly Say Mass Transit Is Not An Option

Very few Americans would willingly take public transportation over driving their own car somewhere, and most rarely use mass transit at all. A new Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that 70% of American Adults rarely or never use mass transit like buses, trains, subways or ferries, and another 11% only use it every few months. Just 12% use mass transit services at least once a week, with seven percent (7%) who use them every day or nearly every day. Six percent (6%) use mass transit two or three times a month. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.  

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on November 9-10, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Drink Domestic Beer, Red Wine and Vodka

When it’s time for Happy Hour, most Americans are ordering a beer or wine.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that among America Adults who drink alcohol, 36% are most likely to drink wine, while nearly as many (33%) go for beer. One-in-four (24%) would choose hard liquor first. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 5-6, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

43% Will Do Something Special to Observe Veterans Day

Many Americans plan today to honor those who have served in the U.S. military, but participation is down slightly from previous years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of American Adults plan to do something special to celebrate Veterans Day and honor those who have given their lives for America. Forty percent (40%) do not, but 17% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 7-8, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Americans Aren’t Fans of Plastic Surgery

Following the strong reaction to Oscar-winning actress Renée Zellweger’s noticeably altered appearance, Americans don’t particularly like the increased use of cosmetic surgery and procedures, though one-in-five would at least consider going under the knife.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 17% of American Adults favor the increasing use of plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections in this country. Forty-nine percent (49%) are opposed, but another 34% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 3-4, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Enjoy Their Booze

Just over a third of Americans still say they drink alcohol at least once a week, and those that do imbibe do so out of enjoyment rather than social obligation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of American Adults drink alcohol at least once a week. That includes 10% who say they drink about once a week, 17% who drink several times a week and eight percent (8%) who have a drink every day or nearly every day. That’s similar to findings a year ago, though the number who drink more than once a week is up slightly since then. Six percent (6%) say they drink several times a month, while 23% drink occasionally. Thirty-five percent (35%) say they rarely or never drink alcohol, showing little change from last year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 5-6, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Would Choose to Be Superman

Americans say they would choose to be Superman if they could be any superhero, but if they had one super power, it would be the ability to see into the future. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% of American Adults say that if they could have a super power it would be to see into the future. Nineteen percent (19%) say they would want the ability to fly. Fourteen percent (14%) would want X-ray vision, while the same amount (14%) would want to be immortal. Ten percent (10%) say they’d want super strength, while just four percent (4%) say they’d want super speed. Eight percent (8%) say they’d want some other power, while six percent (6%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here).

58% Own a Pet and Most Consider it a Joy

More than half of Americans own at least one pet, and they think of their pet as a joy, not a hassle.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults own a pet, up slightly from a year ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 30-31, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

32% Think Doctors Overprescribe Drugs

Most Americans trust their doctor, but one-in-three believe most doctors overprescribe drugs to their patients and a large majority are concerned overuse could lower medications’ effectiveness.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults have a doctor they see on a regular basis. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 3-4, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.