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.
I’ve seen a lot of this over the last few years, esp since covid.
Part of it is: “That’s the most absurdly stupid thing I’ve heard in a while, let’s allow this to echo for a bit and maybe when the speaker thinks on what they said, they’ll reconsider.” But there’s a range, from that to grey rock - just deny the other party any kind of reaction, much less satisfaction. just be a blank space. grey rock is really useful vs narcissists and people who feel entitled (why don’t you just smile more).
we weren’t as sophisticated in this way when I was a kid; if your parent was emotionally manipulative or abusive, we generally had to just eat shit. kids these days can do research and find strategies, and I respect that. on the other hand, I’ve never had a problem just picking up the phone and calling someone, which my kid thinks is absolutely deranged. when I told her we’d call people on purpose for pranks - just dumb fun - she thought I was full of shit; pointed out all the bart-calls-moe as examples - well yeah that’s a cartoon…
it’s funny how times change.