Some say the Gen Z stare signals poor communication and social skills. Psychologists and generational experts told BI that's not necessarily the case.

“Hey Gen Z. Millennial here with a friendly reminder that you’ll be old before you even know it ,” warned a decidedly bitter commenter. “They say this now until it’s time for them to be in their 30s, and the next generation calls them old at that age,” agreed another.

Crystals and other spiritual decor may be some of the things boomers instantly notice when they enter a Gen Zer's home because they're unfamiliar — they don't use them in their daily lives, so they stick out amid the maximalist clutter of many young people's living spaces.

If you’ve worked with Gen Z, you’ve probably seen the “Gen Z stare”: that facial expression that somehow manages to mix disdain, defiance, and utter disinterest all in one blank look. But here’s why experts say it’s going to backfire — and make it even harder for them to land a job.

Banarsë compared it to the "Millennial Pause," a brief moment of silence before speaking in a video, adding that today's social quirks go viral more quickly. Banarsë added that the stare is part of Gen Z's move toward authenticity and boundary-setting—where emotional labor isn't automatically performed to meet outdated norms.

Gen Z has revealed the age they believe old age starts in a new survey, and the answers are brutal. Beware, millennials (and all those who are sitting a little too close to that 1997 Gen Z cut-off), because,

Discourse is taking over socials about the 'gen z stare' a blank expression some gen Zers give in place of a greeting or small talk, particularly in customer service jobs. Adelaide Gen Zers Riley Pearson, 17, and Kealie Marriott, 18, demonstrate the stare. Picture: Tim Joy

This particular TikTok trend is quickly becoming a flashpoint in debates about workplace culture, generational divides, and the future of soft skills. While it may seem like a fleeting meme, the Gen Z stare is emblematic of deeper economic and social shifts as the youngest working generation reshapes the labor market.

To cope, Gen Zers are documenting the reality of unemployment in 2025. “You look sadder,” one TikTok post reads, flipping the recent “You look happier” trend on its head (in which people respond with the real reason they’re smiling a little more than usual).

Gen Z's political identity shifted rightward as liberal identification dropped from 42% to 30% since 2016, potentially becoming the most conservative generation in decades.

"Big yikes" is a phrase used in response to "something that's really embarrassing, disturbing, or shocking," said Reader's Digest. Using it "expresses a strong sense of cringe, awkwardness or disapproval," said the International Center for Language Studies.