According to a study, adults aged 18-24 are ramping up antisocial behaviors, confessing to experiencing what they call "menu anxiety." In simpler terms, these youngsters feel so on edge when ordering at a restaurant in person that they resort to asking others to place their orders. Or they just avoid the entire dining out experience altogether.
From New York Post:
Researchers asked more than 2,000 people how relaxed they felt while eating out, hoping to gauge how enjoyable the experience is for everyone.
About 86% of Gen Z adults (aged 18 to 24 in this study) admitted they have suffered from “menu anxiety” when dining in restaurants — compared to 67% of all respondents.
Some of these young adults (34%) reported feeling so anxious, they wind up asking other people at the table to speak to waiters on their behalf.
“[While] most people look forward to dining out during the [holiday] season, we know — as our research shows — it can be stressful for some,” Dean Challenger, CEO of Prezzo, told The Post in a statement.
The frequent occurrence of this very specific fear appeared to be triggered by the increasingly exorbitant cost of a meal out, along with the respondent worrying about not being able to find something they like on the menu, or, after the fact, regretting what they ordered.
Some even took it to the extreme, with almost 40% of Gen Z customers saying they simply wouldn’t go out for dinner — if they couldn’t check the menu first.
I get it, rising costs make eating out less appealing, but the notion of being too anxious to let the waiter know your food preference is just downright absurd.
Come on, Gen Z, seriously? Ordering food shouldn't be this stress-inducing. Time to get a grip...
