Shared Dining Seating: Why Nine in Ten of Generation Z Like Them
Name: Shared tables.
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? Gen Z, it seems. According to data from the dining booking company Resy, "90% of gen Z diners say they like communal tables, compared with just 60% of older generations".
A Sign of the Times. Before Complaining Regarding Younger People
Communal eating in patriotic “British Restaurants” was a big thing during the WWII, in fact – there were about 2,500 of them, backed by Winston Churchill.
It Was Logical During Times of Rationing, What's the Appeal Today?
This might seem strange to you, admittedly, but shared dining can be fun! As Pablo Rivero explains: "They naturally turn dinner into a shared experience," and "You never know who you’ll be seated next to; that’s the fun of it!"
The “Fun” of An Interrupted Meal by Someone Explaining Loudly That Their Therapist Revealing They Are an Empath
Or sitting beside a Hyrox bore eating chicken to fuel his "workout routines"? Or a nano-influencer capturing you in the background in their video while eating a salad? You have to remember: young adults – the most digitally connected group, who came of age during the pandemic, and many of whom started careers remotely – love a structured communal activity. This same desire driving the popularity of youth running groups, group hikes and crafting 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 many youths feel isolated (47% of them, according to an Oxfam survey released this summer). A recent American study a third of males aged between 18 to 23 reported they had no contact outside their household in the past week. Isn't it positive they’re getting out and sharing meals with new people?
I Suppose. Research Shows People Who Eat Socially More Often Feel Happier
Conversing with new people is good for us, too: it gives us a greater sense of belonging. Plus the Resy survey highlights an additional benefit: one in seven survey respondents said they’d landed a date at a shared meal event. Since young people are leaving dating apps, this gives them a shot at a unplanned "meat-cute".
I Hate That Pun Almost as Much as I Hate Communal Tables.
My work here is done.
Do say: "Young adults believe shared meals are a total success."
Don’t say: "It’s all fun and games until someone drops a katsu prawn on your Y2K baggy jeans."
