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".
The “Gen Z stare” is a blank look zoomers give to their elders. It's the latest intergenerational spat to take over TikTok. *silence*Chelsea Stahl / NBC News. July 18, 2025, 11:11 AM PDT / Updated July 19, 2025, 3:00 PM PDT. By Kalhan Rosenblatt.
The Gen Z stare is exactly what it sounds like: it's a term used to describe the vacant look a Gen Zer gives in response to a question or statement. The phrase has caught fire online and sparked conversation about why younger adults do this.
Gen Z uses emojis as cultural shorthand, often to express sarcasm, humor, or exaggeration. Common Emojis: 🫠 (Melting Face), 💀 (Skull), 😭 (Crying Face), ✨ (Sparkles), 🧢(Cap).
The stare may be an expression of authentic boredom and resistance to "performative positivity." 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.
Key influences include the need for social validation, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the desire for a strong digital presence. Social media platforms further encourage oversharing through features like likes, comments, and sharing functionalities.
So, what does Gen Z use instead of 😂 for genuine laughter? The skull. It signifies “this joke killed me”—in a good way. In Czech slang, it's similar to saying “Zabil!” (meaning “He killed it!”).
The emojis 👁️👄👁️ are typically found under bizarre, funny, or cringey TikToks. It is used when texting to show how a person is dumbfounded, ignorant, not understanding of the scenario, etc. It means "It Is What It is", which expresses feelings of acceptance at an undesirable outcome.
Flirting. Playing off the humor and embarrassment angles, people might sometimes use the emoji to keep dating and sex talk light — possibly too light if you're talking about topics like falling in love or going exclusive. Example: “Let's hang out at my place this weekend 🙃”
Gen Z guys flirt in ways that might surprise older generations. Forget the overly rehearsed pickup lines—Gen Z guys are all about humor, memes, and casual compliments. Sliding into DMs with a funny meme or sharing a relatable TikTok is more common than trying to charm someone with a cliché. But it's not all jokes.
Zoomergaze is a genre of music that combines elements of electronic, pop, and indie rock to create a dreamy and nostalgic sound that captures the essence of modern youth culture.
The so-called "Gen Z stare"—a deadpan, unsmiling facial expression often seen in selfies and social media videos—has attracted growing cultural and psychological interest.
But Gen Z has adopted a more idealistic attitude, with many saying they want to find their soulmates—more than 40% are in serious relationships, and 27% are looking for “the one,” according to 2024 findings from Her Campus Media. And overwhelmingly, 93% said they were interested in the idea of marriage.
Gen Z grew up being online, we have no option but to make social media and the internet an inherent part of us, more than socialising, and so performative affection feels easier and safer than a genuine, direct one. They sent each other letters of love, we send them a skeleton emoji if they compliment us.
Jealousy appears to be particularly prevalent among the younger generation: 43% of Generation Z (those aged 27 and under) say they “often feel jealous of people who I think are more successful than me' and a further 17% say they think many people are jealous of their own successes in life.
In part due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in part because of other cultural forces, Gen Z is rapidly becoming a more reclusive generation, and one that socializes differently. But now, it is becoming clear that young people are going out less and staying in more, in part because we are less inclined to drink alcohol.
Gen Z's upbringing aligns with an era of increased global connectivity. Social media and online platforms enable cross-cultural interactions, breaking down geographical barriers. Exposure to diverse perspectives from a young age encourages critical thinking and a broad worldview.
While Gen Z are self-motivated to learn, Gen Alpha prefers educational content with a side of interactivity. For this generation, gamified, AI-powered platforms are far more appealing than traditional textbooks and classrooms.
The avocado emoji (🥑) in texting often symbolizes health, wellness, or a healthy lifestyle. It can also be used sarcastically to describe something "basic" or overly trendy.
