Yuzu Unveils Survey Results: Gen-Z Friendships and Social Dynamics

Aug 1, 2024

YUZU's Comprehensive Survey Unveils Key Insights

Executive Summary

In a revealing new survey by YUZU, the leading social and dating app for Asian Americans, Gen-Z's perspectives on friendships, loneliness, social preferences, and more are brought to light. The survey highlights the importance placed on friendships, the prevalence of loneliness, and the dynamic nature of social interactions among young Asian Americans. The findings underscore the nuanced ways in which Gen-Z navigates their social lives, providing valuable insights for understanding this vibrant and diverse generation.

Key Highlights

  • 83% of respondents value friendships over romantic relationships: This reveals the significant role friendships play in their lives.

  • 51.5% of respondents often or always feel lonely: Highlighting a crucial aspect of their mental and emotional health.

  • 47% of respondents prefer to meet friends of the opposite sex: Reflecting their open and inclusive nature.

  • 85% of respondents believe online friendships can be meaningful: Showing their adaptability and digital fluency.

Survey Results

Social Dynamics

83% of Respondents Value Friendships Over Romantic Relationships: Most users demonstrate a strong preference for nurturing friendships, viewing them as a cornerstone of their social lives. This shift suggests that for many, the support and companionship offered by friends are seen as equally, if not more, fulfilling than romantic partnerships.

  • Always: 21.7%

  • Often: 27.6%

  • Sometimes: 39.0%

  • Rarely: 7.2%

  • Never: 4.5%

51.5% of Respondents Often or Always Feel Lonely: The prevalence of loneliness among respondents highlights a critical aspect of their mental and emotional health. This underscores the need for strong social support systems and meaningful connections. 

  • Always: 20.8% 

  • Often: 30.7% 

  • Sometimes: 35.3% 

  • Rarely: 11.5% 

  • Never: 1.7% 

47% of Respondents Prefer to Meet Friends of the Opposite Sex: Nearly half of the respondents prefer meeting friends of the opposite sex, reflecting the open and inclusive nature of their social interactions. 

  • Same-sex: 8.2% 

  • Opposite sex: 47.0% 

  • No preference: 44.9% 

85% of Respondents Believe Online Friendships Can Be Meaningful: A combined 85.0% believe that online friendships are either equally meaningful or depend on the circumstances, showing the adaptability and digital fluency of the respondents. Yes, equally meaningful: 41.2% 

  • No, less meaningful: 12.8% 

  • No, more meaningful: 2.1% 

  • Depends on the circumstances: 43.8% 

55% of Respondents Prefer Not to Drink on a First Date:More than half of the respondents prefer not to drink on a first date, indicating a trend towards more mindful and health-conscious social practices. 

  • Yes: 44.9% 

  • No: 55.1% 

51% of Respondents Have Re-Evaluated Friendships Based on Social Justice Stances: Over half have re-evaluated friendships based on social justice stances, showcasing the generational shift towards social and political consciousness. 

  • Yes, often: 10.3% 

  • Yes, occasionally: 28.2% 

  • Yes, once: 12.8% 

  • No, never: 48.6% 

61.5% of Respondents Prefer to Discuss Conflicts Calmly: A strong majority prefer to discuss conflicts calmly, reflecting the preference for communication and resolution over confrontation. 

  • Confront them directly: 16.5% 

  • Discuss them calmly: 61.5% 

  • Avoid the issue: 11.3%

  • Seek advice from others: 8.8% 

  • End the friendship: 1.9% 

43.4% of Respondents Feel Little to No Pressure to Have a Large Group of Friends Respondents are largely neutral or feel no pressure regarding the size of their friend groups, indicating a more relaxed approach to social circles. 

  • Yes, a lot of pressure: 9.1% 

  • Yes, some pressure: 19.5% 

  • Neutral: 28.0% 

  • No, little pressure: 15.6% 

  • No, no pressure at all: 27.8% 

67.5% of Respondents Believe in Having Different Friends for Different Aspects of Life A significant majority believe in having different friends for different aspects of life, underscoring the multifaceted nature of their social interactions. 

  • Yes, definitely: 32.7% 

  • Yes, to some extent: 34.8% 

  • Neutral: 22.6% 

  • No, not really: 7.4% 

  • No, not at all: 2.5% 

Summer Activities 

Boba Leads as the Go-To Summer Drink for 30% of Respondents: Boba's popularity highlights the cultural and social trends among respondents, making it a staple in their summer beverage choices. 

  • Coffee: 13.1% 

  • Matcha: 7.4% 

  • Boba: 30.0% 

  • Fresh fruit juice: 16.6% 

  • Lemonade: 15.8% 

  • Other: 17.1% 

33.9% of Respondents Enjoy Sharing a Meal When Meeting New Friends Sharing a meal remains a popular choice, reflecting the importance of communal experiences in building new friendships. 

  • Sharing a meal: 33.9% 

  • Playing games: 29.8% 

  • Capturing content: 3.7% 

  • Enjoying drinks: 13.8% 

  • Attending events: 18.8% 

26.3% of Respondents Prefer Games as Their Favorite Way to Break the Ice: Games are seen as a fun and interactive way to start conversations and build connections, making them a favorite icebreaker activity. 

  • Drinks: 20.8% 

  • Karaoke: 9.6% 

  • Games: 26.3% 

  • Snacks / meals: 19.9% 

  • Jokes / fun facts: 23.4% 

42% of Respondents Want More Game Nights: Game nights are a top choice for social events, reflecting the playful and engaging nature of respondents' social gatherings. 

  • Arts and crafts: 8.8% 

  • Themed parties: 17.9% 

  • Game nights: 42.0% 

  • Wellness activities: 15.5% 

  • Outdoor picnics: 15.8% 

40% of Respondents Prefer Sporty and Comfy Outfits for Social Events Comfort and practicality are key considerations for respondents when choosing outfits for social events, highlighting their casual and relaxed style. 

  • Casual chic: 29.3% 

  • Trendy streetwear: 18.8% 

  • Cultural attire: 7.9% 

  • Sporty and comfy: 40.0% 

  • Boho style: 3.9% 

25.2% of Respondents Choose Shaved Ice as Their Ultimate Summer Dessert Shaved ice tops the list as the preferred summer dessert, showcasing a trend towards light and refreshing treats. 

  • Shaved ice: 25.2% 

  • Soft serve: 21.4% 

  • Mochi ice cream: 19.3% 

  • Boba: 19.0% 

  • Frozen yogurt: 15.1% 

30% of Respondents' Summer Anthem is Hip-Hop & R&B: Hip-Hop & R&B dominate respondents' summer playlists, reflecting their musical preferences and cultural influences. 

  • K-pop hits: 29.3% 

  • Lo-fi chill beats: 15.3% 

  • Indie rock vibes: 10.9% 

  • Hip-Hop & R&B: 30.0% 

  • EDM hits: 14.4%

42.2% of Respondents Keep in Touch Over Summer with Frequent Texts Frequent texting is the preferred method for staying connected, highlighting the importance of constant communication among respondents. 

  • Frequent texts: 42.2% 

  • Weekly video calls: 9.6% 

  • Social media messaging: 27.8% 

  • Snail mail letters: 0.9% 

  • Group chats: 19.5% 

62.8% of Respondents' Ultimate Summer Friendship Goal is Traveling Together Traveling together tops the list as the ultimate summer friendship goal, showcasing the adventurous and explorative spirit of the respondents. 

  • Traveling together: 62.8% 

  • Starting a creative project: 5.9% 

  • Hosting epic parties: 8.8% 

  • Learning a new skill together: 19.7% 

  • Volunteering as a group: 2.8% 

33.9% of Respondents Deal with Summer Friend FOMO with Self-Care Time Self-care is the most popular way for respondents to manage FOMO, highlighting their focus on mental well-being and personal time. 

  • Social media detox: 9.6% 

  • Joining all activities: 13.3% 

  • Planning ahead: 26.0% 

  • Self-care time: 33.9% 

  • Ignoring it: 17.1% 

37% of Respondents' Favorite Summer Tradition is BBQ: BBQs are a beloved summer tradition, offering a relaxed and enjoyable way to connect with friends. 

  • BBQ: 37.0% 

  • Camping trip: 9.8% 

  • Music festivals: 14.4% 

  • Beach day: 21.4% 

  • Road trip: 17.3% 

Conclusion 

The Yuzu Summer Friendships survey reveals that respondents place a high value on friendships, with many prioritizing them over romantic relationships. Loneliness remains a prevalent issue, and while digital interactions are significant, face-to-face connections retain their importance. This generation is socially aware, open-minded, and prefers calm and communicative conflict resolution. These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the social dynamics shaping Gen-Z today, offering valuable takeaways for brands and organizations aiming to connect with this demographic. Additionally, their preferences for fun summer activities reflect a blend of cultural trends and personal well being, highlighting their unique approach to social interactions and leisure.