Other cultural craters left by COVID-19.
Takeout Takeover
Even with the pandemic well behind us, Americans cling to a takeout mindset. According to the USDA, full-service restaurant spending was off 20 percent in 2022 relative to pre-pandemic levels, while takeout orders remained relatively unchanged.
Tipping Over the Edge
During the pandemic, service staff became frontline workers. Tipping became a gesture of gratitude for those working in a global crisis, from coffee shops to Subways. According to a 2023 NPR report, point-of-sale technology helped institutionalize the practice, but not without backlash: In 2023, restaurant tips were down 10 percent.
Not Enough Veterinarians
As mental health dwindled and loneliness spiked during COVID, an astounding 23 million households adopted a pet, according to the ASPCA – about four times the typical rate. Consequently, veterinary services are jammed up. Mars Veterinary Health predicts a 15,000-doctor shortfall by 2030.
Fashion and Beauty Trends Fast-Tracked
The rise in e-commerce and social media usage accelerated fashion and beauty trend turnover, according to fashion journalists and retailers. New styles emerge constantly and the demand for the latest looks has pushed consumers and brands to keep up.
Beefed-Up Burger Prices
Inflation has left no stone unturned – or burger unflipped – in the post-pandemic world. Rising ingredient costs from beef (up 32 percent in 2024, according to TIME magazine) to buns (59 percent) have turned this once affordable staple into a pricier indulgence.
