Why are People in Asia Watching TikTok While Eating?
It’s 2026 and TikTok has become a side dish.
I was in a restaurant in Asia and felt like I had entered a world where only the server and I were present.
Everyone around me was glued to their phone.
The 20-year-old guy beside me was watching a popular YouTuber tour a million-dollar real estate. His right hand using chopsticks. His left hand swiping out his notifications every 30 seconds.
The couple two tables away were not talking to each other! The guy was playing a battle game app. The lady was scrolling through TikTok cute cat videos.
If you’re from Asia and watching this, this might come as no surprise. It’s everywhere and you accepted this as normal.
In Taiwan, we even have a term for videos that’s perfect to watch while eating.
配飯影片 Video that complements your meal
If you are from a place where eating with a phone is not common, let me tell you that YES, IT IS HAPPENING. Que horror.
I wrote Asia in the headline but this phenomena is beyond this region.
What Happened to Just Eating
Call me old school but for me, eating, like all activities, deserves our full attention.
Dining together with people is a crucial part of being human. Having conversations about how work went after eating. Complimenting the person who made the delicious apple pie.
In Buddhism, students are taught to practice mindful eating. It is a practice where we appreciate the taste of each bite. No distractions. Just you and the plate in front of you.
Since when have we evolved into a species who stare into a screen while eating?
4 Possible Reasons This is Happening
A few hypotheses on why people are now watching leisure videos and playing games while at the dining table.
Anxiety with Silence
People have a hard time with silence. Sitting with themselves while eating a bowl of noodles feel like a nightmare. Add to that being in a restaurant alone. Having a phone with them make them feel less awkward.
Heightened Enjoyment
Perhaps people want to make the most out of their time eating. Since the food isn’t meeting that standard of enjoyment, turning on the latest Mr. Beast video makes them feel the full pleasure of sitting down.
Revenge Scrolling
After a full day of work, there seems to only be that extra one hour for themselves. Why not play games while eating?Creatures of Habit
They watched people eat with their phones. It’s everywhere in some places. They tried it once. Found it enjoyable and started doing it too.
Having reasons doesn’t make it valid. I hope our grand kids can continue to appreciate the joy of eating with full presence. Instead of whatever this is.
What are your thoughts on this phenomenon? How do you feel about it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section!