Everyone’s talking about the 'Gen Z stare'... but what are they failing to mention?
The 'Gen Z stare' is more than just an internet beef, it’s a reflection of our society
The generations are fighting again. Having battled it out over skinny jeans, middle partings and ankle socks, Millennials and Gen Z are now taking up arms around what has been dubbed the ‘Gen Z’ stare. The perceived phenomenon describes a ‘blank, expressionless and unnerving’ look donned by younger members of society while interacting with strangers.
Maybe Millennials want to get back at us for poking fun at their ‘Millenial pause’ (the momentary hesitation before starting a front-facing video), I don’t know, but the trend has been circulating online with angry 30+ year olds labelling us rude, judgy and indifferent.
And Gen Z are fighting back, defending their apparent ‘rudeness’ by calling Millennials stupid. “Fair. A lot of Gen Z don’t know how to talk to people,” says Efe Ahworegba, 19, in her viral TikTok. “But a lot of older generations talk too much, too rudely, and too proudly while being too stupid.”
The back-and-forth name-calling and attempts at justification are somewhat entertaining but wholly pointless, and distract from the real reasons that lie beneath these generational shifts. Is it any wonder that Millennials get mocked for their lack of technical skills, while Gen Z their lack of social skills? As the first generation to grow up digitally native, we’ve had a very unique experience of socialisation, with much interaction that would have taken place in-person, now taking place online – from work calls, to flirting to friendships.
The writer David Webb, who specialises in psychology, goes even further to suggest that heavy screen time actually increases facial neutrality. He writes that: “Automated‑facial‑coding studies show that adolescents who monitor their own image for hours curate a “rest‑neutral” pose so an unexpected freeze‑frame will not look awkward.” It also decreases our ability to mimic facial expressions (a key part of human interaction) and blurs the line between digital and real, causing us to self-objectify and become less animated.
The impact of COVID-19 can also not be underestimated when it comes to IRL socialising, particularly for those on the younger end of the spectrum, where a chunk of their childhood was confined to isolation, and another chunk to wearing a mask. The literal placing of the mask over the mouth might show a direct correlation between Gen Z social habits (not smiling at strangers) and their formative experiences during the pandemic – experiences that may not have impacted other generations as much, because their social habits were fully developed.
As society becomes increasingly atomised and third spaces increasingly scarce, there are simply fewer spaces where young people can meet those outside of their immediate bubbles. Nightlife is struggling. Youth clubs are underfunded. Pubs are overpriced. There are not as many opportunities for chance meetings or random encounters, as there used to be.
Before we point fingers and label a whole generation, we should think about the social conditions that have led to the ‘Gen Z stare’. There is a reason young people are finding it harder to engage in small talk than older generations, and it probably isn’t because we are all ‘rude’ and ‘indifferent’.
We need to ask ourselves what kind of world we are creating if young people are struggling to interact with strangers. Of course deep and meaningful conversations with close friends are rewarding, but there is value too in small talk. It is often in these chance meetings and random encounters that we learn the most. With extremism fuelled by the echo chamber of social media, it is not a bad thing to step outside of our social circle once in a while and speak with people from different walks of life – even if that conversation is just trivial and polite.
Above all, interactions with strangers are what make the world go round. They make the small, insignificant moments of life that little bit better, adding colour to the mundane and joy to the ordinary. If we are always waiting out for the bigger moments – those shared with loved ones and ones that share our interests – we spend our lives in limbo, always looking forward and failing to appreciate the present.
As AI threatens to replace ever-more jobs, we are in danger of losing more spaces where people might interact with strangers. Gen Alpha could grow up in a world where receptionists, taxi drivers, waiters, teachers, and even doctors are robots. How can we ensure that their experience of childhood and teenhood allows for sufficient interaction with other humans? The answer starts with creating opportunities, providing spaces and fighting against a culture that attempts to keep us away from one another.
Scene & Heard:
ON ROAD’s selection of events to check out over the weekend:
bags bags bags @ one hundred shoreditch on 16/08
This Saturday, join Clara Chu to craft your own bucket bag in two size options using salvaged interior furnishing materials once destined for the bin. Leave with a fully functional bag, complete with custom straps, designed and made entirely by you.
navinder nangla x cheetos @ fashion street on 14/08
For one hour only, Navinder Nangla and Cheetos are dropping exclusive tees on the corner of Fashion Street, 41 Brick Lane. 100 pieces up for grabs, first come, first served.
humble jumble sale @ committee of taste on 17/08
This Sunday, a crew of fabulous friends present Humble Jumble, a chic, shambolic mix of bargains and treasures. Expect clothes, curios, tunes, and good vibes all day.
spice school @ house of annetta on 21/08 - 04/09
Over three summer evenings, learn to cook and share Bengali dishes with the women of Oitijjo Kitchen. Master home-style techniques for bhorta, pitha, and roti with masala curry, each session ending with a feast you’ve made.
ludi festival @ brixton dominoes centre on 16/08
Home Radio is making history with the first-ever Ludi Festival at Brixton Dominoes Centre’s community garden. Expect tournaments, food, music, art, and non-stop vibes all day.
dry cleaning exhibition @ 16 winchester walk on 16/08
The upcoming Group Show “Dry Cleaning” promises an exciting new snapshot of today’s ceramics scene. Showcasing bold works from a range of makers, it offers a fresh and dynamic take on the medium.
collaging workshop @ gasworks london on 22/08
Join Muslim Sisterhood for a vibrant evening of collage-making plus a curator’s tour of Ben Sakoguchi’s exhibition with Rosa Tyhurst. Free entry, limited spots, book fast!
yellow brick road @ art’otel on 14/08
Step into an unforgettable evening of multimedia storytelling, with larger-than-life projections of Emmanuel Unaji’s work. Explore his artistic journey through a dynamic short film, then enjoy live music and a DJ set to close the night.
demo launch party @ ormside projects
A party featuring performances by Suutoo and DJ sets by Mobilegirl, Tati Au Miel, Sydfalls, MSN, Suutoo. Radical, beautiful performances and experiments all night long.