Gen Z Stare Phenomenon, Empty Eyes That Confuse The Old Generation

JAKARTA - Recently, it has been busy on social media, especially TikTok about the Gen Z Stare phenomenon. This term refers to the empty gaze given by gen Z when conducting social interactions with older generations, such as millennials and gen X.

The story behind the viral phenomenon of Gen Z Stare when there are older generations having conversations with genes that are working.

Then, instead of getting an explanation when interacting asking questions or complaints, the older generation actually received an empty gaze from Gen Z. The behavior of Gen Z, which is often considered disrespectful by the above generation.

However, a clinical psychologist, Meg Jay, said that it would be unfair if the older generation labeled the less polite and lack of social competence in Gen Z just because of their empty gaze. According to him, the blank gaze could become a stage of Z's gene adapting to his new job.

For most young employees, working with people of different ages and generations is new. The blank eyes received from young workers may show their ignorance of what to do or not believe in work, "explained Meg Jay, quoted from Business Insider, on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

The occurrence of the Gen Z Stare phenomenon is also called due to differences in communication patterns. Millennials and previous generations communicated more directly, while many Gen Z had the opportunity to communicate online.

Many experts argue that Gen Z is not sure how to talk or interact with people they don't know. This is mostly the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and screen communication that is often done by gen Z, so that when dealing directly with blank gazes or Gen Z Stare can occur.

"Generation Z entered the world of work in an era colored by screens, social distancing, and long-distance communications, and the company now has to close the gap in experience with orientation and support that focuses on empathy, not judgment," added Cortico-X president Sujay Saha.