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markpkessinger

(8,809 posts)

16. There is, I think, also a verbal (or non-verbal) equivalent . . .

Reply to senseandsensibility (Original post)

Tue Jul 15, 2025, 04:14 PM

Tuesday

Last edited Tue Jul 15, 2025, 04:52 PM - Edit history (1)

I've noticed it at work. I'll call the Help Desk (which has a lot of Gen-Z employees) for something. In the past, the kind of back and forth banter would go something like this:

Me: "Hi, this is Mark in XYZ department.
Help Desk rep: "Hi, Mark, this is John. What can I help you with?"
Me: [I then explain why I'm calling.]

Now, it's this:

Me: "Hi, this is Mark in XYZ department.
[Dead silence. No acknowledgment. Nothing]
Me: [I then explain why I'm calling]

It's a little thing, true. But that kind of banter -- just acknowledging someone -- helps to smooth out social and professional interactions. And the lack of it introduces a thoroughly unnecessary awkwardness into the conversation!

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wcmagumba senseandsensibility Rebl2 Scrivener7 Luciferous SheltieLover rollin74 oberle Hekate electric_blue68

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Highlight:

Gen Z stare? [View all] senseandsensibility Tuesday OP

I've seen it. I've heard a GenZer say she uses it intentionally when she doesn't feel like engaging with people. Scrivener7 Tuesday #1

Our whole country is collapsing around US and this is what CNN is talking about? ImNotGod Tuesday #2

Well, I'm pretty sure they don't run the story 24/7 so I'm not sure I'd be that upset about it... hlthe2b Tuesday #8

That's exactly why I posted it, hlthe2b! senseandsensibility Tuesday #9

lol jesus christ WhiskeyGrinder Tuesday #3

The next stage is drooling. They spent so much time being entertained by a screen they shut off without it. FSogol Tuesday #4

My Gen Z stepson does this when he's tired of being lectured. yardwork Tuesday #5

You mean this isn't a totally new thing that has never happened before? Mariana Tuesday #12

Yeah, eye rolling came to my mind. Similar effect. electric_blue68 Tuesday #39

Thank you, sincerely FHRRK Wednesday #45

Gen Z dead stare with some side eye thrown in...my pupper does this too... wcmagumba Tuesday #6

Priceless to the 10th power Attilatheblond Tuesday #10

Cute! LoL Grown2Hate Tuesday #13

Was wondering what stare yall were talking about serbbral Tuesday #17

They need to do that with one eyebrow raised mercuryblues Tuesday #42

I've seen it. It comes off as extremely contemptuous. I've called a couple on it (subtly)--just asking hlthe2b Tuesday #7

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Tuesday #11

When I run into a situation like this as they stare at me, I just cross my eyes... or curl a lip or pick my nose... mitch96 Tuesday #14

Gross as hell! serbbral Tuesday #18

Yup, stops the stare in a heartbeat!!! Then I laugh!!! nt mitch96 Tuesday #23

I've encountered it . . . markpkessinger Tuesday #15

There is, I think, also a verbal (or non-verbal) equivalent . . . markpkessinger Tuesday #16

if the calls are recorded - and they usually are Skittles Tuesday #19

Yes, I always hear that my calls are being recorded for training senseandsensibility Tuesday #20

Are Gen Z Rebl2 Tuesday #21

Right? TxGuitar Tuesday #27

I remember doing this canetoad Tuesday #41

Wow, they really invented something completely and totally new! Think. Again. Tuesday #22

Oh I had that stare DOWN when I was a teenager senseandsensibility Tuesday #24

Plenty have done it in the workplace... Think. Again. Tuesday #25

😂 Rebl2 Tuesday #28

Squirt Bottle ZDU Tuesday #26

No then Rebl2 Tuesday #29

The cats never say anything ZDU Tuesday #31

Nah Rebl2 Tuesday #32

Exactly! ZDU Tuesday #33

They wait till you leave Conjuay Wednesday #48

OK, now what are you employing against the growing CEO-base worker pay gap? Scott Alan Swaggerty Sunday #49

It doesn't sound as annoying as "My Bad" or "Dude" nt doc03 Tuesday #30

I kind of like "my bad" senseandsensibility Tuesday #34

Now they have "Hey Dude" shoes, I doc03 Tuesday #36

Hey Dude is a 17 year old Italian-founded fashion firm that was bought up by Crocs three years ago. Celerity Tuesday #40

I like MY BAD too Skittles Tuesday #37

You're definitely not Gen X Polybius Tuesday #43

Why are they tagging Gen Z with this? Aristus Tuesday #35

It's more than a stare. It's a lack of engagement. If they answer the phone, they pick up the phone and Scrivener7 Wednesday #46

The lack of greeting on the phone REALLY irritates me! Coventina Sunday #51

Try doing that to a drill sergeant in basic training. bluesbassman Tuesday #38

I'm an expert at it róisín_dubh Tuesday #44

You do realize that grouping people by when they were Conjuay Wednesday #47

Right? Scott Alan Swaggerty Sunday #50