If you've ever had problems getting the kids to clean their rooms or your partner to do the washing up, it may be due which side you chose to address them.

Scientists have discovered that the secret is to ask them in their right ear.

New research conducted by the University of Chieti in Italy, found that, when address in their right ear, people find it easier to process information and are consequently more likely to perform the task.

The study involved observing the behaviour of hundreds of people in three nightclubs in the city. By asking for a cigarette in either the right of the left ear, the researchers found that far more cigarettes were garnered when the request was made in the right ear.

Dr Luca Tommasi and Daniele Marzoli's findings, published online in Springer's journal Naturwissenschaften, confirm what is known as the 'right ear advantage'.

Scientists believe that information received through the right ear is processed by the left hand, more logical, side of the brain and therefore increases a person's willingness to carry out the request.

So now you know... next time you need a word in somebody's ear, make sure it's the right one.