Loneliness in the big city: the problem nobody talks about out loud.
You live surrounded by thousands of people, yet feel alone? It's not your fault. And you're not the only one — 65% of Gen Z in Poland feels the same way.
1. The Connection Paradox
We live in an era where we are connected to thousands of people with a single click, yet we feel lonelier than ever. The smartphone screen has become a barrier, not a bridge. In big cities, where we pass hundreds of people every day, isolation is felt most acutely.
of young adults feel lonely several times a week.
2. Return to Analog: Solutions
Book clubs, craft workshops, sports groups.
Helping others creates the strongest bonds.
Shared meals with strangers – the oldest form of relationship building.
3. The Metenos Model: The Table as Antidote
You don't need a reason to meet new people. Hunger is enough – the literal and the metaphorical kind.
Metenos organizes dinners for 5 strangers in the most interesting places in Polish cities. It's not speed dating. It's not networking in suits. It's a space where you can show yourself as you are – without the LinkedIn mask, without the Instagram filter.
4. Community Energy
Our participants say that after one dinner, their social lives transformed. Not because they met one special person, but because they remembered what it's like to be part of something bigger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people in big cities feel lonely?
The paradox of modern cities is that despite being surrounded by thousands, the lack of authentic relationships deepens the sense of isolation. Digital interactions have replaced face-to-face meetings.
Does social dining really work against loneliness?
Yes. Psychological research confirms that shared meals are one of the most effective forms of building social bonds. Small groups (5 people) encourage deep conversations and lasting relationships.