Why Gen Z Is Staring At You At Work

In recent conversations across workplaces, retail counters, and social media, a new generational signal is catching attention: the so-called “Gen Z stare.”

Described as a blank, often expressionless look during conversations or customer interactions, this behavior has prompted frustration—and sometimes concern—from older colleagues and customers.

But is it rudeness, burnout, or something more nuanced?

A Different Kind of Boundary What may be read as disinterest by older generations can actually be a form of quiet boundary-setting. Many Gen Z workers aren’t actively trying to appear disengaged—they’re simply opting out of the performance expected in certain social settings. Where older generations were trained to greet warmly, smile constantly, or maintain steady eye contact, Gen Z may approach these cues with more flexibility, or skepticism.

The Etiquette Mismatch Much of the friction stems from clashing expectations. For many Gen Z employees, especially those raised during the rise of digital communication, face-to-face norms like small talk or eye contact aren’t automatic. To older generations, these habits represent politeness. To younger workers, they may feel unnecessary—or emotionally draining.

What Changed? Gen Z came of age during two major shifts: the rise of always-on digital culture and the disruption of in-person life during the pandemic. Both shaped how this generation communicates. Virtual classrooms, social media, and remote jobs don’t always reward conversational nuance or physical presence. Over time, those missing cues—like a raised eyebrow, subtle nod, or welcoming smile—can become harder to read or return.

Consider the Context Instead of assuming the stare is disrespectful, it’s worth asking whether our expectations are shaped by generational habits. A quieter, flatter tone or a lack of strong facial expression doesn’t necessarily mean someone is disengaged—it may simply reflect how they’ve learned to show up.

Reframing Presence If the “Gen Z stare” teaches us anything, it’s that traditional social signals aren’t universal—and may no longer be as reliable as we think. Rather than judging younger workers for not smiling or chatting the same way, employers and managers might do better to ask what communication looks like now, not what it looked like then.

Gen Z isn’t trying to be distant. They may just be expressing presence in a way that looks different—but deserves to be understood.

Sources Business Insider Vox

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