Shared Dining Seating: Why 90% of Gen Z Enjoy Them
Term: Shared seating arrangements.
Appearance: Long, uncomfortable and back in fashion.
The Return of Communal Eating? Not Again. The Sole Appropriate Location for Refectory Tables is the School Canteen
Who would voluntarily eat with strangers as an adult with free will? The younger generation, apparently. Research indicates from the dining booking company Resy, "Nine out of ten of gen Z diners say they like communal tables, compared with just six in ten 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 WWII, in fact – there were about 2,500 of them, backed by Winston Churchill.
I Suppose It Made Sense When Food Was Scarce, But Why Do It Now?
This might seem strange to you, admittedly, but communal tables can be enjoyable! As the Resy CEO notes: "They naturally turn dinner into a shared experience," and "The excitement lies in not knowing your neighbor!"
The Enjoyment From Having Dinner Interrupted by Someone Explaining Loudly That Their Therapist Revealing They Are an Empath
Or sitting beside a fitness enthusiast chomping chicken breasts to fuel his "workout routines"? Or a nano-influencer capturing you in the background of their reel as they massacre a salad? Consider this: young adults – the most digitally connected group, who grew up during COVID, and many of whom started careers remotely – love a structured communal activity. This same desire behind the rise of young people’s running clubs, hiking outings 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 many youths feel isolated (47% of them, according to an Oxfam survey published in June). A recent American study , one-third of men aged between 18 to 23 reported they had no contact outside their household in the past week. Isn’t it a good thing they’re getting out and breaking bread with strangers?
Perhaps. Research Shows Those Dining in Groups Report Greater Happiness
Conversing with new people is good for us, too: it enhances our feeling of community. Plus the Resy data points out another advantage: 14% of survey respondents said they’d found a romantic partner at a shared meal event. Since young people are leaving dating apps, this offers a chance for a unplanned "meet-cute".
That Joke Annoys Me Almost as Much as I Hate Communal Tables.
My work here is done.
Appropriate comment: "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."
