Why Gen Z is Ditching Dating Apps and Opting for IRL Connections
Digital dating has become the go-to for most young adults. Gen Z, though, is taking a refreshing turn. Tired of the swipe-right culture, these digital natives are putting down their phones and heading out to… the grocery store. Yes, you read that right. Supermarkets have become the latest hotspot for singles. They want a real-life love connection, sans apps and algorithms.
For Gen Zers, online dating can feel like a chore. Endless messaging, countless profiles, and, oftentimes, underwhelming results have left many feeling burnt out. New research by Smirnoff found that nearly half of single 18-to-27-year-olds prefer meeting potential partners in person. They are more interested in places like grocery stores rather than online. According to Smirnoff’s marketing manager, Maddy Stockwell, Gen Z is “sick of living chronically online.” They are craving “meaningful, face-to-face connections” instead.
In fact, grocery stores are not just for finding the freshest produce but also for potential partners. Young people are treating these spaces as casual, judgment-free zones for meeting others. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Whole Foods in Tribeca or a local farmer’s market. A small smile in aisle 5 can spark a genuine connection. Offering help to reach the top shelf works too.
Sarah Lapi is a 25-year-old digital marketing executive from New York. She loves the ease of striking up a conversation while browsing the aisles. “A friendly smile or quick chat over an item breaks the ice. It doesn’t seem too pushy,” she says. She’s not alone in this belief. TikTok influencer Mimi Shou recently went viral. She encouraged her 325,000 followers to try grocery shopping for love. Her take? “The guys who spend money on organic scallops are ‘husband material’.”
It’s not just about supermarkets, though. 78% of singles under 30 prefer to meet people in real life. This is a local bookstore, a concert, or a community event. Amber Brooks from DatingAdvice.com reveals that 90% of young singles want real-life romance over digital encounters. Grocery aisles not always be a choice. In such cases, people will meet up at unique spots. Consider protests, local clubs, or even a friend’s funeral.
Gen Z is known for their tech-savviness, but this shift proves they still value genuine connection. They’re redefining what it means to meet “the one.” They are showing that romance doesn’t need an app. Sometimes, it just needs the right aisle.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/BiH5MluGPYc?si=TOJCzeXS0gwZxAQd
- https://nypost.com/2024/10/24/lifestyle/gen-z-is-finding-love-at-a-surprising-place-you-visit-often-study-reveals/
- https://www.cookist.com/how-single-spanish-gen-z-are-turning-to-the-supermarket-to-find-love/
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://readloud.net/
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