"From the servers' point of view, the one thing that stands out is how, and how much, Boomers engage with them. They'll start with small talk, ask about their day, drop a compliment, and overall try and make a personal connection before moving on to questions about the menu. The line between familiarity and over-familiarity is thin, though, as is the one between building a relationship with the waitstaff and expecting the moon from them."
"Now, it should come as no surprise that Boomer and Gen Z diners are a study in contrasts. After all, the gap between the two generations is a minimum of 33 years, going up to 57 years. For the older lot, a good bar is one with a familiar face and a quiet corner. For the young ones, the non-negotiables are good lighting and a photogenic cocktail."
The Waiter Rule suggests that how people treat restaurant staff reveals their character and decency. Servers observe distinct behavioral differences between Boomer and Gen Z diners. Boomers tend to engage extensively with staff through small talk, compliments, and personal connection attempts, while Gen Z diners are notably quieter. Beyond service interactions, the generations differ in dining preferences: Boomers prefer familiar establishments with quiet corners and complain about modern restaurant costs and QR code menus, while Gen Z values good lighting and photogenic cocktails. However, Boomers' attempts at friendliness sometimes cross boundaries, with some not recognizing the line between building rapport and creating disruption or excessive demands on staff.
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