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Millennials, Gen Z and boomers debate on who has better restaurant etiquette over viral clip

A video posted by a woman showing how different generations act at restaurants has sparked a debate on the internet.

Millennials, Gen Z and boomers debate on who has better restaurant etiquette over viral clip
Cover Image Source: TikTok | @sallymander_

How different generations behave at restaurants has been an ongoing debatable topic. While boomers think they are the best, millennials and Gen Z think their habits are pleasing in public spaces. Recently, a video from a restaurant has sparked an intense debate among the three generations, where all of them want to prove that they have better restaurant etiquette. TikTok user Sally Loeza (@sallymander_) made a video of two separate tables after her meal in a restaurant. She told Newsweek that she did this when out on a date with her fiance. "After we finished eating, we did what we usually do, which is clean up after ourselves," she explained. "While waiting for our check, we noticed the group across from us hadn't done the same. It's something we've noticed before, where older generations don't always tidy up after themselves."

Image Source: TikTok | @sallymander_
Image Source: TikTok | @sallymander_

In the TikTok video, two restaurant tables appear in total contrast: Sally Loeza's seat, on the left, has cleanly piled dishes, grouped napkins and trash, and nicely aligned glasses. The camera pans to another table on the right, where scattered plates, glasses, silverware, and napkins are visible. Adding "younger generation vs. older generation" in the overlay text, Loeza used hashtags like #genz and #boomers in her caption. She also mentioned that boomers were the diners at the untidy table. "As someone from the younger generation, I feel we often face stereotypes of being entitled and disrespectful," she said. "This video showed the opposite." She also said that age is not the only factor in the problem, adding that "every generation has both good and bad examples."

The video prompted a heated discussion regarding various viewpoints on restaurant etiquette in the comments section. "And the older generation leaves a 10% tip and the younger generation leaves 25%," commented @aliciaharris52, supporting the Gen Zers. "I don't think it's a generational thing, it's a respect thing," commented @lisalisa1iadore. "I absolutely love this phenomenon because the older generation raised us but never taught this to us at all. It seems like we all just started doing it?" added @momstrosityy, stating how the generation has learned this on their own. @_codsmi, who is a waiter, shared his experience "As a waiter, honestly, you are our favorite kind of people. It's the best day ever for us when we see one of those precious clean tables"

Image Source: TikTok | @jlipha
Image Source: TikTok | @jlipha

In contrast, some people commented how leaving the plates as is actually helps the waiters. "My father told me to leave it because it is a respect to the waiter/waitress job. I agree but I also agree that some small things can help," said @hereth13. "I always stack plates but I've seen some TikToks where servers say it makes it harder because of the way they carry them. So now I don't know what to do," @shannonsutcliffe92 left a comment in confusion. @taylormsolis stated, "So this is what I heard from someone who was a waiter: if it’s not busy, leave the mess bc they need something to do. But if it’s busy, clean it up"

Image Source: TikTok | @karlee_j0112
Image Source: TikTok | @karlee_j0112

Loeza explained that she decided to film the scene because she found it interesting, and she's been surprised by how much attention it's gotten. She said, "Our friend, who's been a server for eight years, has always told us that she and her team appreciate when customers help out, so we make it a habit wherever we go." She mentioned that the video caught the eye of many young people, who shared their own observations, which don't always align with the older generation's. "I think some people mistreat servers and expect them to do everything perfectly," Loeza continued. "We can do our part by taking a few seconds to help and make their job a bit easier."

You can follow Sally Loeza (@sallymander_) on TikTok for more lifestyle content. 

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