As an early 90’s millennial, I’ve never noticed a “gen z stare” as described in news articles like a “blank face that shows lack of social skill or ability to think”. The only times I’ve witnessed it happen and seen the older person accuse them of “gen z stare” is when the older person says something off hand or dumb but isn’t self aware enough to realize they’re being weird. Hell, I’ve given people a blank face countless times because I was taught it was better to say nothing at all sometimes. Especially when it came to talking to older people at work.
I remember when I was 16, some middle aged guy at work accused me of having no personality. In reality, I kept all conversations short as possible with him (like almost everyone in the store) because they were casually racist and misogynistic.
Dudes like 55, short, fat, bald and missing teeth and he’s judging a young woman like that? Gtfoh.
My guy was early 70s by the time I left and also fat. He was retired but worked part time, pretty sure it was to creep on young girls. Even the 14-16 year old dishwasher girls would say that he always mentioned their appearance, sometimes while he sat there watching them do dishes as he rubs his gut.
Everytime I was talking to a young lady customer he would walk between us and introduce himself. One day my girlfriend was in with her sister and we were talking, he butts in as usual and the 3 of us gave him the “gen z stare” until he walked away. Just thinking about him makes my blood boil.