Shared Restaurant Seating: The Reason 90% of Gen Z Like Them
Term: Shared seating arrangements.
Appearance: Long, uncomfortable and back in fashion.
The Return of Communal Eating? Oh no. The Only Acceptable Place for Refectory Tables is the Cafeteria
Who would voluntarily eat with strangers as an adult with free will? The younger generation, it seems. Research indicates from the restaurant reservations company Resy, "90% of young adult patrons say they like shared seating, versus just 60% of boomers".
A Sign of the Times. Before You Start Harrumphing Regarding Younger People
Group dining in patriotic “British Restaurants” was a major trend during the second world war, in fact – there were about 2,500 of them, supported by Winston Churchill.
I Suppose It Made Sense During Times of Rationing, What's the Appeal Today?
It’s an alien concept for you, I know, but shared dining can be enjoyable! As the Resy CEO notes: "Dinner becomes a collective event," and "You never know who you’ll be seated next to; that’s the fun of it!"
The “Fun” of Having Dinner Interrupted by A Loud Conversation About Their Therapy Says They’re “a Highly Sensitive Empath”
Or sitting beside a fitness enthusiast eating chicken to fuel his "farmer’s carries"? Or a social media user filming you accidentally in their video while eating a salad? Consider this: gen Z – the most digitally connected group, who grew up during COVID, and many of whom entered an almost exclusively digital workplace – love a structured communal activity. It’s the same impulse driving the popularity of youth running groups, group hikes and art nights: they’re seeking real-world interactions.
I Prefer Dining in a Solo Ramen Stall They Have in Tokyo.
This may not appeal to you, but lots of young people are lonely (47% of them, according to an Oxfam survey released this summer). A recent American study a third of males aged between 18 and 23 reported they hadn’t seen anyone outside their household in the past week. Isn’t it a good thing they’re going out and sharing meals with new people?
Perhaps. Studies Indicate People Who Eat Socially Report Greater Happiness
Conversing with new people is good for us, too: it gives us a greater sense of belonging. Additionally the Resy data highlights an additional benefit: one in seven survey respondents said they’d found a romantic partner at a communal dining experience. Since young people are leaving dating apps, this gives them a shot at a spontaneous "meet-cute".
That Joke Annoys Me Nearly as Much as I Dislike Shared Seating.
My work here is done.
Appropriate comment: "Gen Z think communal dining ate and left no crumbs."
Inappropriate remark: "Things are fine until food spills on your vintage clothes."
