The list of things that Generation Z cannot or does not want to do "like everyone else" has now included going to a restaurant.
According to a study by the British restaurant chain Prezzo, the overwhelming majority of young people experience "menu anxiety." Researchers surveyed over 2000 individuals to determine how comfortable they feel dining out. About 86% of adult members of Generation Z (aged 18 to 24) admitted to feeling "worried about the menu" when dining in restaurants, while the figure among all respondents was 67%.
Generation Z's Concerns
“While most people look forward to dining out during the holiday season, our research shows that for some, it can be a source of stress,” noted Dean Challenger, CEO of Prezzo.
The prevalence of this specific fear appears to be linked to the rising costs of dining out, as well as respondents' concerns that they will not be able to find suitable dishes on the menu.
In some cases, the situation becomes critical: nearly 40% of Generation Z members stated that they would forgo dining in a restaurant if they could not review the menu online in advance. A similar study in the United States found that three out of ten Americans experience "menu anxiety," with Generation Z feeling more nervous than older generations.
How Do Generations Differ?
A survey of 2000 adults showed that younger generations are more likely to experience anxiety when ordering: 41% of Generation Z and millennials (aged 18 to 43) compared to only 15% of Generation X and baby boomers (aged 44–77).
Thus, Generation Z consistently reports high levels of overall anxiety, which affects even seemingly simple and enjoyable activities like vacations and meals. Gabriel Rubin, a professor of justice studies at Montclair State University, recently published a study claiming that "Zoomers are more afraid of the world than previous generations."
The expert explained that many members of Generation Z he studied struggle with real-world communication: “They are digital natives, but due to COVID and other factors, they have missed out on important real-world communication skills.”
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