Carey Mulligan is a "practical romantic".

The 'Never Let Me Go' actress - whose relationship with actor Shia LaBeouf ended in October - can't understand why people play games in relationships and prefers to be honest about her feelings.

She said: "I love love stories, and acting in love stories, so I suppose that's the romantic side of me but I am quite practical.

"My friends at school used to say, 'If a guy texts, you can't text back for three days.' I was always like, 'B******s! Text back.' I'm a practical romantic.

"I'm a hopeless romantic and I always say how I feel. I say things as I think them."

Carey, 25, believes her open attitude leads to less problems in her relationships.

She explained to LOOK magazine: "I can be in a mood for half a day and then say everything, but I would never hold on to a feeling for years.

"I think it's better to be open most of the time. If you put something out there and it doesn't work, then you can forget about it and carry on."