This is weird. 86% of Gen Z kids don't feel comfortable ordering food at a sit-down restaurant, and a third of them don't even want to talk to the waiter when it's time to order.
Seriously, what's going on here? Did Covid do this? Why is Gen Z so antisocial?
Researchers asked more than 2,000 people how relaxed they felt while eating out, hoping to gauge how enjoyable the experience is for everyone.
About 86% of Gen Z adults (aged 18 to 24 in this study) admitted they have suffered from "menu anxiety" when dining in restaurants — compared to 67% of all respondents.
Some of these young adults (34%) reported feeling so anxious, they wind up asking other people at the table to speak to waiters on their behalf.
Imagine being this full of anxiety when you're enjoying a night out at a restaurant. Like, what has the world come to when the most convenient of dinner options becomes this hard for people?
The frequent occurrence of this very specific fear appeared to be triggered by the increasingly exorbitant cost of a meal out, along with the respondent worrying about not being able to find something they like on the menu, or, after the fact, regretting what they ordered.
Some even took it to the extreme, with almost 40% of Gen Z customers saying they simply wouldn't go out for dinner — if they couldn't check the menu first.
Like, what's the big deal, Gen Z? Do you not know how to read? Are there items on the menu you need to research before ordering? Are there not enough vegan options on the menu?
Cuz when I go out to eat I look at the menu, find about three things I like, and then when my kids and wife are done ordering I choose one of those three items.
Pretty easy stuff!
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