The Gen Z stare is an apparent tendency by young people in customer service positions to respond to innocuous statements with a blank look instead of a regular comment.

What is the "Gen Z Stare?" Older TikTok users say that Gen Z workers often give blank, unresponsive stares. Gen Zers are pushing back.

Banarsë compared it to the "Millennial Pause," a brief moment of silence before speaking in a video, adding that today's social quirks go viral more quickly. Banarsë added that the stare is part of Gen Z's move toward authenticity and boundary-setting—where emotional labor isn't automatically performed to meet outdated norms.

When asked to vote on a generic ballot for 2026, older Gen Z and younger millennial voters, ages 22-29, backed Democrats by a 6-point majority. But younger Gen Z voters, ages 18-21, backed Republicans by nearly 12 percentage points.

TikTok loves to argue — and the latest spat is over the so-called Gen Z stare. You might have a few questions like: 1) what's the Gen Z stare? and 2) why is TikTok fighting over this? and 3) who would spend their time fighting over this?

TikTok user @ludknee posted a video where she performs a "test" which she claims will tell whether someone is Gen Z or a millennial. Cuspers seeking clarity need search no more. Primary Menu Sections

Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old political content creator, was running on a progressive platform to become one of the youngest members of Congress.

I F YOU THOUGHT a reusable water bottle was a plain, boring receptacle—brought out of the cupboard only for long hikes—then you would be wrong. For Gen Z, a water bottle is both a necessity and a fashion statement. Social media are awash with videos of tumblers. The hashtag #WaterTok has 2.5bn views on TikTok.