this post was submitted on 28 Mar 2026
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As an early 90's millennial, I've never noticed a "gen z stare" as described in news articles like a "blank face that shows lack of social skill or ability to think". The only times I've witnessed it happen and seen the older person accuse them of "gen z stare" is when the older person says something off hand or dumb but isn't self aware enough to realize they're being weird. Hell, I've given people a blank face countless times because I was taught it was better to say nothing at all sometimes. Especially when it came to talking to older people at work.

I remember when I was 16, some middle aged guy at work accused me of having no personality. In reality, I kept all conversations short as possible with him (like almost everyone in the store) because they were casually racist and misogynistic.

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[–] JakoJakoJako13@piefed.social 15 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (6 children)

I'm also an early 90s baby. It used to be you'd say something back when you caught someone staring at you. Like hey take a picture it'll last longer. Then the one staring would snap out of the moment, crack a joke back, and be done with it. Now it's that moment going on too long and the person engaging the stare doesn't even acknowledge it afterwards. My brother's girlfriend does it all the time. The other day I'm getting ready to leave and opened my door to go to the bathroom and the girl stopped what she was doing to glare at me. No hello, no good morning, no thought behind those eyes. Just nothing. I put my hands up like I got arrested and she snapped back to what she was doing without acknowledging my existence.

It's almost as if nobody told them staring is rude. It's weird. It sucks.

Edit to add a word

[–] wolfpack86@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] JakoJakoJako13@piefed.social 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] wolfpack86@lemmy.world 1 points 23 hours ago* (last edited 23 hours ago) (1 children)

Its not when you catch someone looking. It's when someone stares blankly because what you said is so stupid it doesn't warrant a response.

Saying "take a picture it would last longer" doesn't work functionally in this context.

[–] JakoJakoJako13@piefed.social 1 points 23 hours ago

What is it then if you get the same stare without saying anything at all?

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[–] RegularJoe@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago (5 children)

Forbes has an article from a Ph.D. who claims it's real.

The ‘Gen Z Stare’: What It Means And Why Employers Can’t Afford To Ignore It

By Bryan Robinson, Ph.D., Senior Contributor. author of Chained to the Desk in a Hybrid World: A Guide to Balance.

Jul 16, 2025, 06:43pm EDT Jul 21, 2025, 04:07pm EDT

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2025/07/16/the-gen-z-stare-what-it-means-and-whats-underneath-it-at-work/

He was born in 1945 according to Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_E._Robinson

That puts him in the Silent Generation, as Boomers don't start until 1946.

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[–] ipkpjersi@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 day ago

I'm a millennial too and tbh I've done the gen z stare, sometimes there are just things that dumbfound you.

Nobody is always going to have the answer to everything and be immediately quick on their feet at all times.

[–] voicesarefree@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

Only encountered it once maybe two years ago. Was in a part of town I am not often around anymore and dropped in a coffee shop I used to frequent. The staff couldn’t have been much older than 20, all with bare midriffs that I have never seen in food service before (this is kind of a grungy art district spot, but still). Ordered my coffee and asked about their food which used to have some gluten free options, and got a blank stare for maybe 10 seconds.

That’s it. Just once. Not a general stereotype but I’m not exactly well traveled so maybe more regional?

[–] mojofrododojo@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I've seen a lot of this over the last few years, esp since covid.

Part of it is: "That's the most absurdly stupid thing I've heard in a while, let's allow this to echo for a bit and maybe when the speaker thinks on what they said, they'll reconsider." But there's a range, from that to grey rock - just deny the other party any kind of reaction, much less satisfaction. just be a blank space. grey rock is really useful vs narcissists and people who feel entitled (why don't you just smile more).

we weren't as sophisticated in this way when I was a kid; if your parent was emotionally manipulative or abusive, we generally had to just eat shit. kids these days can do research and find strategies, and I respect that. on the other hand, I've never had a problem just picking up the phone and calling someone, which my kid thinks is absolutely deranged. when I told her we'd call people on purpose for pranks - just dumb fun - she thought I was full of shit; pointed out all the bart-calls-moe as examples - well yeah that's a cartoon....

it's funny how times change.

[–] lemmie689@lemmy.sdf.org 7 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Gen see, gen do. People adopt each others behaviour.

enculturation

  1. The process by which an individual adopts the behaviour patterns of the culture in which he or she is immersed.

  2. The adoption of the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture.

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[–] desra@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I feel like I got this at the dentist office with the receptionist once but could be I was the idiot in the situation. Late for an appointment by a little bit, two options seemed to be ask them if there’s still time or schedule a new appointment. All I got was a blank stare instead of seemingly anything reception related.

[–] FinjaminPoach@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

It is, and it's not just to do with neurodiverse traits like autism either (unless they can be induced by GenZ's lifestyle, which I don't think they can be.)

I get it from other GenZ people, and observe them using it on others. It's pretty freaking annoying tbh, but maybe thats just because the first example that jumps to mind is someone I really don't like. 🤦‍♂️

I don't think it's what you describe, which is something different

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