Dead eyes, blank stares: The Gen Z response dividing TikTok

Gen Zers are ditching small talk for a silent, non-reactive response, dividing opinion. But those guilty of the behaviour have revealed what’s really behind the look.

A blank stare, dead eyes and complete silence.

This is how many Gen Z are opting to respond in place of a greeting or small talk and the internet can’t decide whether it’s rude or not.

Over recent weeks, TikTok has been consumed by debate over the ‘Gen Z stare’ – an expressionless look young people give, particularly in customer service jobs.

But it’s not the look itself that has people up in arms, rather the intention behind it.

In a video with over 12 million views, one hospitality worker describes it as a reaction to “stupid” questions from customers.

TikTok is divided over the meaning behind the ‘Gen Z stare’. Picture: TikTok @misa.—.ann

Many Gen Zers are defending the stare. Picture: TikTok @hcannon.04

“A lot of Gen Z don’t know how to talk to people but a lot of older generations talk too much, too rudely and too proudly while being too stupid,” they said.

Many agreed with one user commenting that the stare was them “trying to figure out how to explain the simplest things in the simplest terms that I think they could possibly grasp.”

“Gen Z stare and it’s just looking at them in confusion and disbelief,” another commented.

Many servers and bartenders claim that their Gen Z patrons respond to questions or small talk with the stare, as though the conversation isn’t worth pursuing.

In a video with over one million views, a millennial restaurant host explained that while not every Gen Zer stares, many do.

Millenials and Gen Zers are interpreting the stare in different ways. Picture: TikTok @danidigitaldiary

TikToker @snarkymarky showing what the stare looks like. Picture: TikTok

“When we ask you guys maybe a simple question, or a simple task to do or give you some options and instead of answering or just doing it you guys just (stare)” they said.

“A lot of the times when I’m talking to people in Gen Z (...) they’ll just stand there and go (blank).”

Most critics believe it’s a symptom of Gen Z’s lack of social skills, likely due to the pandemic and increasing screentime.

“Truthfully, watching The Office and wearing face masks for two straight years did this to us,” one user said.

“It’s panic, dissociation. They yearn for the iPad,” another said.

L-R: Adelaide Gen Zers Kate Alexander (17), Riley Pearson (17) and Kealie Marriott (18). Picture: Tim Joy

But it all boils down to a misinterpretation of meaning from the older generations, Adelaide teens Riley Pearson, 17, and Kealie Marriott, 18, said.

For both girls, who work in hospitality, the stare isn’t meant to convey anything let alone ill will.

“It’s not that serious, people are being too harsh,” Ms Pearson said.

With older generations more likely to instantly respond, the girls said that the stare was more often than not a pause to gather their thoughts.

“I was at work and I handed out two coffees and they were different sizes and a customer pointed at the (bigger) cup and asked if it was the small latte,” Ms Marriott said.

“I literally just looked at him and stared like … oh, no it’s not.”

Originally published as Dead eyes, blank stares: The Gen Z response dividing TikTok