Bizarre: large proportion of Gen Z has ‘menu anxiety’ and dares not order in restaurants
A British study shows that a large proportion of Generation Z has menu anxiety. This means they get the shivers when placing orders in restaurants. Sometimes it is even so bad that they get another person at the table to speak to the waiter.
You might think it is social anxiety. Being afraid to start a conversation with the waiter while the entire table is looking at you. You can already hear the boomers saying: ‘That’s because of that phone! Young people are glued to that horrible thing and no longer know how to address someone in the real world.’ But what does it turn out? Gen Z itself does not cite that as the main reason.
Gen Z vs. boomers
First of all, the study itself. It was conducted by the British restaurant Prezzo among 2,000 British respondents. No less than 86% of respondents between the ages of 18 and 24 (Gen Z, in other words) said they had menu anxiety . By comparison, the figure was an average of 67% in other age groups. Still quite a lot, if you ask me.
In general, younger generations appeared to experience far more anxiety in restaurants than older generations. 41% of Gen Z and millennials (18 to 43 years old) experience anxiety, while only 15% of Gen X and boomers (44 to 77 years old) do.
Dining out unaffordable
Gen Z gives 3 very specific and striking reasons for their menu anxiety. The main one: fear of not being able to afford the dishes. Yes, dining out has become more expensive. Some young people say they can no longer afford to eat out. But honestly, I find it rather remarkable. Can’t you simply base your choice of restaurant on that? In my opinion, there are still plenty of reasonably affordable restaurants. Or restaurants offering good deals, where you can order a three-course meal for a nice price, for example.
Nothing tasty on the menu
Another reason: Gen Z is afraid they will not find anything they like. Well, menus can sometimes feel like advanced geography. But here I am going to add another critical note. Check the menu beforehand and you solve the entire problem in one go. Nothing tasty on it? Suggest another restaurant. Or am I seeing this wrong?
Regretting the order
Finally, Gen Z is afraid they will later regret their order. Yep, that would make me pretty grumpy too. On the other hand… There is always next time. And if you like everything, it can never really disappoint. I think.
Menu anxiety: also in the US
A similar result also emerged from an American study. It showed that 3 in 10 Americans have menu anxiety , the vast majority of whom are Gen Zers. Gabriel Rubin, a professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State University in New York, conducted research into Gen Z. He told The Post that Gen Z is generally more fearful than previous generations. And social anxiety does play a part after all. Rubin calls Gen Z digital natives, who ‘have missed important interpersonal skills due to COVID and other factors’.
Therapy?
Who knows, perhaps there will be therapy for it. Menu anxiety therapy or something. Or Learn how to place an order in restaurants. Or: Ordering in a restaurant is not as scary as you think.
Also read:
- Restaurant deposits: half of guests do not understand why this is necessary
- 10 terrible restaurants where you would not want to eat for a million euros
- Why you should never go out to eat on your first date
Source: New York Post
