The Phenomenon Of Hanging-Out Culture As Part Of Generation Z Students’ Lifestyle In Yogyakarta

Abstract

This study aims to understand the hanging-out culture as part of the lifestyle of Generation Z students in Yogyakarta. This phenomenon has emerged alongside the transformation of coffee shops into third places that function not only as social spaces but also as environments for studying and academic productivity. The study employed a qualitative approach with a phenomenological design to explore students’ experiences and interpretations of hanging out in coffee shops. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation involving seven Generation Z student informants in Yogyakarta who regularly spend time in coffee shops. The findings reveal that hanging-out culture is influenced by the need for comfortable study spaces, social pressure, lifestyle trends, and the phenomenon of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). Coffee shops are no longer perceived merely as places of consumption, but have become symbols of social existence and student identity. The study also identifies a paradox of financial literacy, where students understand the importance of financial management yet continue engaging in consumptive spending to maintain social relationships and group validation. These findings indicate that students’ consumptive behavior results from a complex interaction between academic needs, popular culture, and weak financial self-control.