Birding, silent book club, Mahjong and more: America's meetup explosion
Summary
Many young Americans, especially millennials and Gen Z, are choosing to meet in person for activities that used to be done alone, like birdwatching, reading silently, and playing mahjong. This trend is growing as people seek real-life social connections to reduce loneliness and spend less time on their phones.Key Facts
- Young people raised on digital habits are increasingly attending in-person meetups.
- Activities include birdwatching, silent reading groups, chess, mahjong, and puzzle competitions.
- Puzzle competitions grew by 151% between August 2024 and July 2025 compared to the previous year.
- Mahjong events increased by 94% in early 2025 compared to last year.
- These meetups are examples of "soft socializing," where the focus is on being with others, not networking.
- Americans are also attending events designed to encourage romantic connections, called "meet-cute" events.
- Platonic dinner parties with strangers are gaining popularity as a way to build social connections.
- Writers and organizers note people want more in-person connection and less time spent doomscrolling on phones.
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