In March 2020, Kaitlyn Brande, an 18-year-old waitress from Utah, captured the internet’s attention with her viral video comparing the table habits of Boomers and Gen Z. In just 20 seconds, she showcased the chaos of a Boomer table, adorned with leftover food and dirty dishes, versus the tidy setup of a Gen Z table, where everything was stacked neatly. With over 9.3 million views, this little piece of restaurant life quickly ignited a heated debate about dining etiquette and respect for service workers.
The underlying message? Cleanup after yourself, even if it’s not your job. Brande’s video has been viewed as a light-hearted commentary on generational differences, but opinions in the comments section reveal a more polarizing truth. While some applaud the younger generation for being considerate, others argue that it’s inappropriate to expect diners to assist servers by cleaning their tables. The clash has opened up conversations about broader issues regarding how different generations treat service workers and the expectations that come with dining out.
What makes this dialogue so captivating is that it’s not just about plates or tidiness; it reflects cultural values around respect and acknowledgment for those in service roles. After all, it seems that each generation has its own distinct set of dining practices, and perhaps a little understanding could go a long way in bridging these gaps. Next time you head out to eat, think about the message you’re sending with those dirty dishes. Are you a stacker or a scatterer?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.