On TikTok, Millennials are currently mocking Gen Z for being unable to engage in small talk. The reason is a habit known as the “Gen Z Stare” – but what is behind it?
What is the “staring gaze” about? Many users of social networks like TikTok – especially Millennials – refer to the supposedly blank, staring gaze of Gen Z as the “Gen Z Stare.” This occurs in very ordinary situations, such as when engaging a member of Gen Z in a normal conversation.
- “They just look at you like they just saw a ghost,” says TikTok user “185dashuaige.”
Millennials (and some members of Generation Z) mock this behavior and upload videos in which they imitate this “Gen Z Stare”.
You can see such a clip here:
A common accusation is that Gen Z no longer masters small talk and is even overwhelmed by simple conversations. However, many see other, less amusing reasons behind this behavior.
Lack of social skills or something else?
What does Gen Z say about this? TikTok user “tateytottz”, who is also an older member of Gen Z, clearly opposes the current discourse: “All I see is you guys bullying teenagers who are growing up in a much more difficult world than you did.” (via TikTok)
In a later clip on TikTok, she specifies again why Gen Z has a harder time building social skills.
- On one hand, there is the Covid-19 pandemic that many Gen Z members experienced as teenagers. During those two to three years, it was particularly difficult, if not nearly impossible, to interact with others.
- On the other hand, there is the growing dependence on technology, which has only increased since Corona.
“It’s really ironic that Gen X and Millennials are spearheading this conversation about the ‘Gen Z Stare’ […] when they are the same parents that hand their kid an iPad any time they experience an uncomfortable emotion,” she adds.
For anyone who really enjoys staring at maps, Paradox has exactly the right announcement:
With each new video, new explanations for the “Gen Z Stare” also emerge:
- “We just wanna be left alone,” comments BTR under a TikTok clip on the topic.
- “I don’t really think it’s a lack of social skills. I just think we just don’t care,” explains TikToker Jetty._Wetty to NBC News.
So what is behind the “Gen Z Stare”? This question is not so easy to answer, as apparently everyone has a different picture of it in their mind. The reasons also seem to be diverse: Perhaps the person really has no idea how to react. Maybe they just had a bad day, are annoyed, or would simply prefer to be left alone.
That technology is taking on an increasingly significant role in the lives of many people is not always associated with advantages. Scientists warn that Gen Z may face a significant problem with AI. You can read more about it here: AI like ChatGPT tells users what they want to hear: But this could become a real problem for Gen Z
