Sydney Sweeney and Brittany O’Grady giving the ‘Gen Z stare’ on “The White Lotus”
HBO
Generation wars are still alive and well on TikTok, as the video-sharing platform is discussing, debating and mocking the so-called “Gen Z stare.”
Back in the day, millennials were famously mocked for their supposed love of avocado toast and other frivolous treats. Now, it’s their turn to start murmuring about how the kids aren’t alright.
While millennials have often been criticized by Gen Z for being “cringe,” with TikTok-specific tics like the “millennial pause,” millennials have hit back at the youth with the “Gen Z stare.”
Some commentators immediately understood the stare, having seemingly experienced it, while others have dismissed the stare as an exaggerated phenomenon.
What Is The ‘Gen Z Stare?’
Many TikTokers share the belief that Gen Z has lost the art of small talk and social pleasantries, and that this manifests in a blank stare, often in response to questions.
According to TikTok, the stare often occurs during basic customer service interactions, with the accused members of Gen Z reportedly responding to simple requests with a dead-eyed gaze, or failing to greet the customer when they walk in.
Servers and bartenders claim that their Gen Z customers respond to unexpected questions or small talk with the stare, as though simple conversation is not worth pursuing.
TikToker @theprincessandthepoppers gave a detailed account of the stare, explaining that not all Gen Z customers respond with blank stares, but a significant amount do.
Some TikTokers pivoted to creating comedy skits about the stare. In the comments of this video, some claimed that the prevalence of the stare had been exaggerated, or even completely fabricated by millennials.
One representative of Gen Z declared that the stare was likely a symptom of ADHD and trauma—other commentators pointed out that this was a very Gen Z explanation.
Some commentators responded by accusing older folks of the “boomer stare”—clearly, there is a lot of miscommunication and frustration in customer service jobs, and perhaps people of all generations are glaring at one another.
Some zoomers even joined the pile-on, claiming that they had witnessed the stare within their own generation, and speculated on the possible causes.
The debate brings to mind the culture clash sparked by the arrival of McDonalds to Russia, where cashiers had to be taught how to smile at customers.
Friendly, enthusiastic customer service is an American expectation, but it seems that Gen Z is challenging the old social norms—that is, if the trend is true—it might just be that aging millennials are starting to get grumpy about kids today.
Perhaps Gen Z should be applauded for allowing the mask to slip, and refusing to play the part of the attentive employee, who is always expected to deliver service with a friendly smile.
Whether it’s social anxiety, the strength of modern marijuana strains, or simply a disinterest in small talk, millennials seem to believe that Gen Z is different.
Or perhaps we all just need to log off for a bit, lest we stare too long into the abyss of TikTok.