| Years active | After the COVID-19 pandemic [1] and Great Resignation |
|---|---|
| Country | United States, Europe |
| Influences | Social media, mainstream media |
| Influenced | Societal controversies |
The Gen Z stare is a phrase coined by social media users to describe a "blank stare that members of younger generations give in situations where a verbal response would be more common". [2] Kalhan Rosenblatt of NBC News says, "[w]hile there are several definitions for the stare, the most common meaning is a vacant expression a Gen Zer gives in response to a question. The stare occurs in classrooms, restaurants, at work and more settings." [1] The term "Gen Z stare" garnered widespread coverage in the mainstream media in July 2025. [a]
According to Dani Di Placido, writing for Forbes , some TikTok users believe that many members of Generation Z have difficulty with small talk and fundamental social courtesies. This is often described as a blank stare that they give to some questions that are asked. Placido also says that according to TikTok users, this stare is most common during customer service interactions. [3] Similarly, some servers and bartenders have said that their Gen Z customers respond to pleasant questions or pleasant conversation with a long gaze or a "stare" instead of speaking. [3] Additionally, some TikTokers say that Gen Z employees do not greet customers or complete basic requests and instead return a blank stare. [3]
In a New York Times article in 2025, one interviewee said the attitude and stare indicate a "complete lack of f***s", adding that the stare has both supporters and detractors. [2] Generation Z-ers do not agree on an exact definition. [2]
Professors have reported encountering the stare in college classrooms when trying to elicit engagement from students. [1]
Regarding the possible root causes of the Gen Z stare, a University of Alabama professor said the look became more prevalent on campus following the COVID-19 lockdowns, noticing an "increasing amount of silence" after asking questions in class. [1] The stare may be an expression of authentic boredom and resistance to "performative positivity." [11] Suzy Welch, an NYU business professor, argued the stare could be coming from Zoomers ranking "achievement" as a bottom-tier value, linking the stare to quiet quitting. [12] While deadpan has been around for generations, the blank stare might also be a manifestation of social anxiety developed during the enforced isolation of the COVID pandemic period. [1] Social isolation during the pandemic led to increased mental health issues for many students, such as anxiety and depression. When offline interactions were scarce, social media filled a socialization gap. The influence of social media has also led to a fear of being judged or "cancelled" online. Not wanting to be "cringe" is additionally a common theme. [1]