AXIOS (Carly Mallenbaum) - Birding, silent book club, Mahjong and more: America's meetup explosion
Young people raised on swiping, DMing and streaming are doing something bold: going out. Why it matters: Amid a loneliness epidemic , millennials and Gen Zers are craving IRL connection — enough to show up for meetups built around activities once considered solitary, or "grandma hobbies ." The latest: They're leaving the house to play chess , birdwatch and read in silence together. - "It's very easy to sit inside and rot just by yourself," Cole Robinson, president of the Audubon on Campus Trinity University chapter, tells Axios San Antonio . - But activities like birding can help you "feel a little less lonely," the 20-year-old says. "Soft socializing" experiences — where you're with other people but networking is not the main…
According to Cole Robinson, what can activities like birding help achieve?
Cole Robinson, the 20-year-old president of the Audubon on Campus Trinity University chapter, states that activities like birding can help a person "feel a little less lonely."
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In which cities is the Axios Social Club dinner series launching?
The Axios Social Club dinner series is starting in Charlotte, Chicago, Kansas City, and San Antonio.
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What are "meet-cute" events and why are Americans attending them?
Meet-cute events are settings meant to spark a romantic connection and a "sweet 'How'd you meet?' story" away from dating apps. These events can revolve around various activities like trivia, crafts, or exercise.
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What types of activities are millennials and Gen Zers engaging in for in-person connection?
Younger generations are participating in meetups built around activities such as playing chess, birdwatching, reading in silence together, solving puzzles, playing mahjong, trivia, PowerPoint presentations, crafts, exercise, and attending platonic dinner parties with strangers.
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What are "soft socializing" experiences according to Eventbrite?
Soft socializing experiences are defined as situations where you are with other people, but networking is not the main focus.
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What specific growth was seen in puzzle competitions and mahjong-focused events according to recent data?
According to Eventbrite, there were 151% more puzzle competitions from August 2024 to July 2025 compared to the preceding 12 months. Additionally, Evite data shared with Axios shows that mahjong-focused events were up 94% earlier this year compared to last year.
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