'Gen Z stare'? Millennials, your boomer trauma is showing.

The author giving the "Gen Z stare."Nico Schinco for BIMillennials and Gen Zers are squaring off over the "Gen Z stare," a blank, awkward expression.But is it even real? Or are millennials just pathologizing Gen Z like boomers complained about them?If it is real, cultural factors like social media play a role — and who set that system up?Just when I thought the millennial-Gen Z alliance had reached a zenith, the "Gen Z stare" debate was born.The "Gen Z stare" is supposedly the blank look Gen Zers give when they're asked a question or faced with a situation they don't know how to respond to. Most of the debate hinges on Gen Zers working customer service roles, like hostessing at restaurants or taking orders at coffee shops.I'm skeptical that the "Gen Z stare" is even real (though maybe I'm biased, since I am a Gen Zer), but let's suppose that it is. There are plenty of possible explanations for this gap in manners that my cohort is supposedly showing. Moreover, it's ironic that millennials are diagnosing their Gen Z counterparts in much the same way boomers diagnosed and pathologized them.Millennials, are you sure you're not just becoming your parents?It's not me — it's society!We've been called the loneliest generation, the anxious generation, and the most rejected generation. Our workplace habits have been picked apart by boomers, Gen Xers, and millennials we work with, whether it's the clothes we wear, the things we talk about, or even the words we use.So maybe the "Gen Z stare" is just a problem of your own making, dear elder coworkers. If we know you're going to pick apart our response anyway, why wouldn't we pause to make sure we're saying the right thing?We're also a generation that's used to being surveilled, thanks to social media. If it's true that the "Gen Z stare" is a product of our chronic online-ness, we should ask in response: Who set that system up? Who put the phones in our hands and made it so hard to turn away, such that we're struggling to form human connections? I'm not talking about our parents, but about the older tech founders whose contributions have bred those unpleasant side effects — founders like Mark Zuckerberg, a millennial.Besides, there are other reasons beyond our control for why we're underequipped with soft skills. Those of us who were in college during the pandemic worked through remote classes, internships, and other virtual gigs. Our first in-person roles were the jobs we landed right after graduation; we didn't have the opportunity to build up professional etiquette before that. God forbid we're a little shy.Gen Zers are also facing high unemployment and underemployment, which means we're working jobs that don't require our degrees. Even computer science grads, who were told that their area of study was a surefire path to financial stability during their teen and early adult years, are struggling to get jobs as the tech career ladder folds up. Can you blame your 22-year-old barista for not being thrilled about working a café job right out of college?Let's unite the youthI don't want to therapy-speak too much — as I know my cohort is wont to do — but perhaps this is an instance of millennials inflicting their own boomer-bred trauma upon the generation below them. It wasn't so long ago that your own boomer coworkers complained about your supposed softness, entitlement, and avocado toast spending habits.Poking a little fun across generations and hand-wringing about the youth is nothing new. But hey, punching down isn't the answer. As it happens, younger people — and that includes you, millennials — can do pretty impressive things when we're united. As a bloc, we have the power to create recession-resistant market sectors and challenge workplace norms. We're pretty aligned on wanting our workplaces to treat us like people instead of cogs.There is some truth mixed into the "Gen Z stare" debate about my generation's lack of social wares, but that didn't happen in a vacuum. Boomers couldn't comprehend the harder hand you'd been dealt when you were our age, either. Gen Z deserves a little slack here.Don't get me started on Gen Alpha, though.Read the original article on Business Insider

Comments

Business News

Ministers trying to drum up interest in Alexander Dennis orders, says Robison

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Bargain-hunting Gen Zers are using a back-to-school staple for lip liner. It burns.

Is 'The Gen Z Stare' real? Tell us what you think

Adelita Grijalva Beats Gen Z Content Creator Deja Foxx To Win Democratic Primary For Arizona Congressional Seat

Gen Z covet DVDs and CDs with nearly three-quarters purchasing physical media in the past year

Gen Z Content Creator Deja Foxx Could Become One Of The Youngest Members Of Congress

Gen Z's Minecraft obsession is paying off

A Gen Xer self-deported to Mexico after 36 years in the US for a safer, more affordable life: "I feel a sense of relief"

Gen Z doesn't want to say 'hello' when answering the phone. I'm concerned.

Gen Alpha is Old Enough to Hit ‘Add to Cart’—Here’s What That Means for Commerce

The 'Gen Z Stare' has ignited a debate about soft skills and workplace communication

The Gen Z jobs gap: Great Resignation grads got a jump-start while their younger peers face a much tougher market

Gen Z loathes ads. Here's how one startup behind top podcasters gets around that.

L.A. business leaders express tariff frustration to Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta, say trade policy effects are 'frightening'

Born into crisis, gen Z is saving for retirement like no other generation | Gene Marks

Why Gen X is the real loser generation

As Gen Z and millennial women look to get money-smart, Dow Janes is trending upward

Tinder bets on group dating feature to win back Gen Z

Business News

Ministers trying to drum up interest in Alexander Dennis orders, says Robison

Analysis finds devolved tax powers could add £4 billion for local services

£66m returned to APP scam victims in first six months of rules going live

Analysis finds devolved tax powers could add £4 billion for local services

Landlords warn of higher rents in London as supply of homes dries up

St Pancras restaurant known for the 'best dining room in London' shuts down

Ministers trying to drum up interest in Alexander Dennis orders, says Robison

US producer prices unchanged with wholesale inflation remaining under control

UK inflation rises by more than expected and may slow down rate cuts

CNN crew allegedly attacked in West Bank by Israeli settlers while reporting on death of US citizen

Ford recalls nearly 700K SUVs over fuel leak that could cause fire

Four people bailed after arrests over cyber attacks on M&S, Co-op and Harrods

Diageo’s boss Debra Crew steps down by ‘mutual agreement’ after two years

The Collective founder opens "festival inspired" wellness club in Shoreditch

Diageo’s boss Debra Crew steps down by ‘mutual agreement’ after two years

Plant milks ‘not nutritionally equivalent’ to cows’ milk – expert review

Tesla Enters India at Last, Navigating High Tariffs and Trade Tensions

How Trump could use a building renovation to oust Fed Chair Powell

Goldman Sachs posts $3.72B profit as bank’s traders cash in

Mapped: Where £100m of Premium Bond prizes remain unclaimed

Swinney accuses Reeves of ‘channelling Thatcher’ with financial reforms

Where inflation jumped in June – and where it eased

What is inflation? UK rate increases unexpectedly to 3.6%

Annual house price inflation accelerating but rental price growth cooling – ONS

Workspace braces for more large firms to ditch London office spaces

Asda fined £640,000 for selling out-of-date food

Nissan to close flagship factory with 3,900 workers to cut costs

Bridging loans forecast to hit £12 billion in 2025

Why bridging loans can help boost new-build profits

The £200 billion landbank that could boost the UK’s housing supply

What does a buoyant market mean for property developers?

Delivering nationwide maintenance solutions with speed, quality and trust

Swinney accuses Reeves of ‘channelling Thatcher’ with financial reforms

The smarter vehicle tech that’s keeping British fleets safer on the road

The most innovative sustainable packaging is here

Skin cancer peaks in summer – so why is early detection still an afterthought?

Where inflation jumped in June – and where it eased

Voices: Inflation has delivered a nasty shock – but don’t panic just yet...

Workspace braces for more large firms to ditch London office spaces

Why the North needs a headstart to tackle the housing shortage

Growing use of bridging loans to prevent residential collapse

Edmunds three-row hybrid SUV test: Kia Sorento vs Toyota Highlander

Central City Assn. says businesses need help to bounce back from raids and tariffs

Lifetime ISA vs personal pension: Which is better for higher retirement income?

Annual house price inflation accelerating but rental price growth cooling – ONS

Asda fined £640,000 for selling out-of-date food

Why has inflation risen unexpectedly and what does it mean for households?

The Mayor's new congestion charge for electric vans is a penalty for going green

Labubu doll maker says profits set to soar 350%

Asian shares are mixed after Nvidia nudges Nasdaq to a record, while other US stocks slump

Barclays fined £42m by watchdog over money laundering checks

Bloomsbury profits on track amid strong Sarah J Maas sales

Bloomsbury profits on track amid strong Sarah J Maas sales

Labubu doll maker says profits set to soar 350%

Barclays fined £42m by watchdog over money laundering checks

France, UK and Germany to restore Iran sanctions if no progress on a deal

Will interest rates be cut in August? The key factors for the Bank of England and 2025 predictions

How rising inflation impacts your mortgage and savings

HMRC does not know how many billionaires pay tax in the UK, MPs claim

Households face new squeeze as June inflation unexpectedly jumps to 3.6%