Gen-Z are scaling back on eating out owing to menu anxiety. What is it?

You go to a restaurant and ask for the menu. When presented with the menu, you encounter a host of options – from vegetarian starters to non-vegetarian main course meals and then even more options in the dessert section. Suddenly you feel anxious and are unable to decide what you want to eat, losing your appetite. Have you ever encountered such a situation? Are you one of those people who ask another person to order for you at a restaurant? Then this report is worth a read, as you may be suffering from a new form of social anxiety called ‘menu anxiety’. From what exactly is ‘menu anxiety’ to its impact – we cook up all the answers for you. Menu Anxiety, explained A sense of panic or stress that one feels when given the menu at an eatery or asked to choose to make food choices are defined as menu anxiety. Simply explained, menu anxiety is the indecisiveness that one feels when provided with an overwhelming array of options when it comes to food. Each dish sounds equally enticing, bombarding you with exotic ingredients and creative fusions. However, instead of feeling excitement, you are struck by anxiety, paralysed by the fear of making the wrong choice. It’s important to note that menu anxiety is not an officially recognised mental health diagnosis. However, it is very prevalent among people and the chance that you know someone having the same issue is quite high. So, how does menu anxiety play out in an eatery? It can emerge in two forms: the first is when an individual is given a menu and asked to make a choice between the various options. The second is when an individual is at an assembly-line-style eatery and is expected to provide rapid-fire answers to questions about their food choices. For instance, would you like mustard or mayonnaise on your sandwich. [caption id=“attachment_13503902” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Menu anxiety can kick in at assembly-line-style eateries where patrons are expected to provide rapid-fire answers to questions about their food choices. Image used for representational purposes/Reuters[/caption] According to licensed mental health counsellor Natasha D’Arcangelo, people who already experience general anxiety are more prone to menu anxiety. Additionally, those with performance anxiety or perfectionistic tendencies may also find themselves susceptible to this condition. Increased stress levels can play a role as well, turning what is a simple decision into a paralysing experience. For many, menu anxiety is triggered owing to the cost of the meal or not being able to find something appetising. Another significant reason for menu anxiety is having too many items to choose from. Some even complain that not being able to pronounce items on the menu is also a common cause of concern among diners. Many people complain that they worry that they are being judged on their choices. Others feel pressured by having customers waiting behind them in line. For some, it’s the concern that their food will come out wrong while some just buckle under the pressure of too many choices. How prevalent is menu anxiety And before one scoffs at this being unreal, think again. A survey of 2,000 adults provided surprising results. Three in 10 Americans suffer from ‘menu anxiety’ – the survey showed that 41 per cent of Gen Z and millennials (aged 18–43), compared with only 15 per cent of Gen X and baby boomers (aged 44–77) complained of this problem. Conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by Avocado Green Mattress, the survey further revealed that younger generations were also more likely to let others order first so they could see what they were getting – a whopping 47 per cent to 30 per cent. [caption id=“attachment_13503912” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Menu anxiety is most prevalent among Gen-Z and millennials. A survey reveals that 41 per cent of Gen Z and millennials (aged 18–43), compared with only 15 per cent of Gen X and baby boomers (aged 44–77) complain of menu anxiety. Image used for representational purposes/Reuters[/caption] Checking out the menu online before arriving is another feature that people are adopting with a quarter (24 per cent) of those aged 18–43 “always” doing this, compared to 15 per cent of those aged 44–77. In fact, many of those who complain of suffering from menu anxiety said that they would rather stay home than go out and eat. Of those who complain of menu anxiety, almost four in 10 diners said they simply would not go to a restaurant unless they have had a chance to look at the menu and prepare themselves beforehand. Dominee Wyrick of Oklahoma told Wall Street Journal that she stopped going to assembly-line restaurants, and just sticks with a few places whose menus she knows well. How to cope with menu anxiety However, there are ways to deal with menu anxiety and some mental health experts say there’s no need to stay away from eating out and socialising with friends and family. According to a counsellor, people with menu anxiety should familiarise themselves with the options in advance, which will help reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed or rushed. Another stated that one should understand that there’s no such thing as a wrong decision when ordering out. In the worst scenario, one ends up with something they might not like. This perspective, according to a counsellor, will help make an individual feel less overwhelmed. [caption id=“attachment_13503932” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] One of the simplest ways to curb menu anxiety is to focus on the experience of being out with friends and loved ones and immersing yourself in that experience. Image used for representational purposes/Pixabay[/caption] And if these steps don’t help, here’s a simple one to follow. Order a classic; these dishes often hold a special place in our hearts for a reason. Opt for familiar items that bring comfort and satisfaction. Amit Kumar, assistant professor of marketing and psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, while speaking to Psychiatrist.com said, “Try to think of the experience in advance as fodder for conversation or promoting social interactions with others that are positive. “Rather than stressing, the meal that you’re going to have is probably enjoyable because you’re going out to dinner with people that you like and having a fun time.” With inputs from agencies