Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X & Boomers Have Completely Different Ideas Of How To Behave In A Restaurant
maxbelchenko / Shutterstock What counts as good restaurant behavior seems pretty obvious. That is, until you sit down at the table with someone from a different generation.
One person might see something as polite and respectful, while another thinks it's overly formal or just plain weird. When it comes down to it, restaurant etiquette has changed quite a bit over the decades, and each generation grew up with different expectations about what it means to be a considerate diner.
Each generation has different ideas of how to behave in a restaurant:
Boomers believe in strict table manners, especially in a restaurant setting.
Boomers believe that there's a right way to behave at the table, and they expect others to know it and act accordingly. They're more likely to put their phones away and wait until everyone has been served before they dig in. Going out to eat feels like a special occasion, even if it's just dinner on a regular Tuesday night.
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That doesn't necessarily mean every Boomer is judging everyone's table manners, but many were raised with old-school expectations surrounding being courteous in public. They might look at someone from a younger generation filming their whole meal or setting up their own personal workspace at the table and wonder what happened to basic manners.
Gen X takes a more relaxed approach to restaurant etiquette.
This generation isn't usually interested in turning dinner into a whole production, but they still expect others to be respectful to the staff and aware of the people around them. They might check their phone and crack jokes at the table because they still want to have a good time while they're eating.
Gen Xers also have a pretty low tolerance for unnecessary fuss. They don't panic over a casual dress code or someone breaking a minor etiquette rule, but they take notice when someone is being rude or demanding. The basic rules are pretty simple: enjoy your meal and let everyone eat in peace.
To millennials, restaurant etiquette is more of a flexible social agreement.
Millennials are very conscious about how they treat restaurant workers, and they care just as much about being a good customer as they do about having a good meal. They don't see a problem with asking for substitutions if something doesn't work for them, but they always do it respectfully.
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For this generation, the restaurant experience is also about the overall vibe. They may want a cute atmosphere, shareable dishes, and maybe a few pics for social media before anyone starts eating. They're less concerned with doing things the proper way and more interested in making sure everyone at the table is comfortable and having fun.
Gen Z doesn't see a reason to take restaurant etiquette so seriously.
Gen Zers are by far the most likely to step away from traditional rules around dining out. Since they're paying for a meal with their hard-earned money, they want to get the most out of their experience. That means they're going to do what they want, whether that's ordering something different from the rest of the table or spending the whole time scrolling on their phone.
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They also usually think more than older generations about the social aspect. A restaurant can be a place to catch up with friends, make content, celebrate something, or just hang out for a few hours, so there's often less urgency to rush through the meal.
Kayla Asbach is a writer with a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida. She covers relationships, psychology, self-help, pop culture, and human interest topics.
