I was lucky enough to be invited to a “Generations Over Dinner” event
and if you get the opportunity, I encourage you to attend one yourself. The
event can be big or small but involves dinner with six to eight participants
at each table who fall into different age groups. At my table we had Baby
Boomers (born 1946-1964), Gen X (born 1965 to 1980), Millennials (born
1981-1996), and Gen Z (born 1997-2012).
"Generations Over Dinner” is a growing intergenerational conversation
movement built around a simple idea: bring people from multiple
generations together over a meal and use guided questions to create
meaningful dialogue. The aim is to bridge generational gaps, reduce age-
related stereotypes, and create spaces for people to learn from each other’s
life experiences.
Besides a delicious dinner with new friends, we had a facilitated discussion
– meaning one of our tablemates asked structured conversation prompts
designed to get us talking more deeply than surface level chit chat. As an
older Gen X member, I learned that, contrary to popular stereotype,
members of younger generations do not always want to be on their phones.
Instead, those younger generations seek meaningful connection, just as
older generations do.
Generations Over Dinner is designed to achieve significant links between
folks of different generations to combat loneliness and isolation and
improve communication. To foster that goal, participants are asked to
extend generosity and hospitality through the stories shared and heard.
My dinner was sponsored by Successfully Aging and Living in San Antonio
(“SALSA”) and the South Texas Adult Protective Services Community
Board. I’m grateful to them for the opportunity.
