I thought I saw somewhere that bars were having a similar problem, with Gen Z choosing to drink/socialise at home rather than go to bars, restaurants, etc.
Not just Gen Z. Why should I go to a bar and pay almost double a bottle what it costs me for a decent beer when I and a friend can pick up a twelve pack for what it would cost us to have two beers apiece elsewhere? Why should I pay outrageous prices for a steak when between the two of us we can smoke a brisket and have enough to share with others or leftovers for another meal? And doing so I know I can get excellent service from someone happy to be there?
People forget that these are hospitality industries. They're all about service. You should be able to go there and feel happy you came. Instead most of these places make you feel like a bother and then despite a decent tip on the table you still get hit up for more money at the register.
I try to be polite, friendly and tip well. I expect decent service when I go out and increasingly do not get it. So why should I go out when for a bit more effort I and my friends can do it ourselves and share for either less or the same cost, but a better experience?
Inflation which is a new concept for myself in my mid-40s is playing a large part. We're not fully mentally adjusted to inflation and "value" these services less. Or perhaps we still mentally "value" them in 2019 dollars. Meanwhile, service workers have to live in the present and care about 2023 dollars.
I know I still get a little sticker shock just seeing menu prices now, I can't say honestly that I'm tipping the same because of it. It's what I have control over. Or, I can just avoid the place altogether which is what many people choose to do. I haven't fully done that yet, I've scaled back a little but mostly just natural consequence of having young children (we eat in more now).
Obviously, it doesn't help that tipping culture is absolute hell these days. I feel like I'm being gouged everywhere I go. For every single interaction. And, it's done in a way that's before the service where I feel like it's mandatory or my service will suffer if I don't go along with it. It's awful and I'm choosing more an more to boycott the tip line almost everywhere (seated meal being an exception).
