Gen Z wrestle with shame from ordering delivery food: ‘This economy is not for the weak’
As Americans use apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats more habitually, they confront the guilt of paying extra fees for convenience
TL;DR
- The pandemic accelerated the use of food delivery apps, making them a national lifestyle, with many Gen Z consumers ordering multiple times a month.
- Users often experience 'delivery guilt,' feeling ashamed of their spending, perceived laziness, and the additional fees associated with delivery services.
- Some Gen Z respondents feel embarrassed about their food delivery spending, with half lying about amounts to friends and family.
- Experts describe food delivery as an 'affordable luxury,' but high fees can lead to sticker shock and reluctance to reveal total costs.
- Concerns exist that a portion of delivery fees goes to app companies rather than delivery workers, contributing to negative feelings.
- The Federal Trade Commission is considering new rules for undisclosed fees, while New York City fined DoorDash $131.5 million for worker law violations.
- Rising grocery costs are making home cooking nearly as expensive as ordering out for some, though this is debatable based on individual circumstances.
- Societal judgment, such as media segments linking food delivery to inability to afford life goals, contributes to delivery shame.
- Economists argue that overall food spending is shifting towards home cooking, making the criticism about delivery apps hindering life goals misguided.
- Some users are cutting back on deliveries due to rising costs of rent and insurance, while others avoid apps altogether due to their 'dangerous' temptation.