Divorce is becoming increasingly common in Britain nowadays and many non-married people cohabit or live together without getting married. There is a preference for smaller families, with the average household size being about two to four people. Approximately 70% of people own or are buying their own homes. Most people live in houses rather than flats, about four out of five choose to live in houses. The stereotype of a British person is someone who is reserved, polite, private and perhaps rather cold and exclusive. This is certainly not true of all British people. In fact, many people in Britain are warm and humourous. They often laugh at themselves and try to see the funny side of life. British humour is frequently of sarcastic kind. In sarcastic humour, mocking or ironic language is used to convey scorn or insult, but it should not be taken literally or seriously. The British person is simply "pulling your leg".