Young Brits ‘love’ having serious conversations – but older generations feel ‘uncomfortable’
GEN Z are the best at opening up – with 88 per cent believing it is important to have serious and honest conversations with others.
Research of 2,000 adults found adults born after 1996 have 12 deep interactions with friends and family a month, with 64 per cent ‘loving’ these types of talks.
In comparison, 20 per cent of Boomers feel ‘uncomfortable’ opening up to others.
It also emerged 33 per cent of Gen Zs are most likely to have an intergenerational deep chat with someone outside of their age group.
With top conversation topics including history and how things used to be, or food and family traditions.
The research was commissioned by Uber Eats, to encourage Brits to embrace Songkran – the Thai New Year – by introducing Songkran Supper Clubs.
The offering from Rosa’s Thai comes with a four-person meal for the price of two with a set of specially designed porcelain spoons, each embossed with thoughtful conversation starters.
A spokesperson for the food delivery app said: “One of the most heartwarming things we see is how mealtimes can bring different generations together.
“Grandparents sharing their favourite dishes, parents teaching kids how they ate when they were young themselves – these small, everyday moments help preserve family traditions and create new ones.
“We hope our customers enjoy celebrating together.”
The study went on to find 82 per cent of all those polled believe people talk less today in person and more online, leading to fewer “meaningful” connections.
And the top places for having a conversation that escapes the banal were revealed to include around the dinner table (27 per cent), in quiet restaurants (23 per cent) or at a pal’s kitchen table (21 per cent).
A little over half (51 per cent) are also likely to get deep with someone when food is involved, according to the OnePoll.com data.
And while 61 per cent would rather open up their innermost thoughts to people they’re familiar with, 11 per cent find it easy to do with anyone at all.
Some of the top benefits of having involved chats with people from other generations are they strengthen bonds and create lasting memories (42 per cent) and get more rounded perspectives on big decisions (41 per cent).
Nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) of Gen Zs also find comfort in other age groups’ perspectives when times are tough.
The Songkran Supper Club is available on Uber Eats for people of different generations to get together and connect – perhaps for the first time – over food.
Top 10 benefits of deep conversations with different age groups
1. To strengthen the bond and create lasting memories
2. To understand how values and attitudes have changed over time
3. To get a more rounded perspective on big decisions
4. To find comfort in their perspective on tough times
5. To learn how they handle challenges and understand any regrets they may have
6. To gain wisdom about relationships and love
7. To appreciate their outlook on happiness and fulfilment
8. To enjoy their sense of humour and unique way of telling stories
9. To hear their take on friendships and loyalty
10. To learn new skills or life hacks