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In reply to the discussion: Gen Z stare? [View all]

Aristus

(70,440 posts)
35. Why are they tagging Gen Z with this?
Tue Jul 15, 2025, 06:52 PM
Jul 15

I've seen 'dead-eye' in people of all living generations. I can't count how many times I've gone in to a fast food place, a retail store, or some other business with soul-crushing entry-level jobs, to be helped by some person whose eyes were so devoid of life, you just knew they were merely warming the air around themselves for eight hours until they could go home. I can't say I blame them. The retail, customer-service gulag is not a place you want to do a lot of time. And some people never escape.

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4 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Gen Z stare? [View all] senseandsensibility Jul 15 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 Jul 15 #1
Our whole country is collapsing around US and this is what CNN is talking about? ImNotGod Jul 15 #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 Jul 15 #8
That's exactly why I posted it, hlthe2b! senseandsensibility Jul 15 #9
lol jesus christ WhiskeyGrinder Jul 15 #3
The next stage is drooling. They spent so much time being entertained by a screen they shut off without it. FSogol Jul 15 #4
My Gen Z stepson does this when he's tired of being lectured. yardwork Jul 15 #5
You mean this isn't a totally new thing that has never happened before? Mariana Jul 15 #12
Yeah, eye rolling came to my mind. Similar effect. electric_blue68 Jul 15 #39
Thank you, sincerely FHRRK Jul 16 #45
Gen Z dead stare with some side eye thrown in...my pupper does this too... wcmagumba Jul 15 #6
Priceless to the 10th power Attilatheblond Jul 15 #10
Cute! LoL Grown2Hate Jul 15 #13
Was wondering what stare yall were talking about serbbral Jul 15 #17
They need to do that with one eyebrow raised mercuryblues Jul 15 #42
I've seen it. It comes off as extremely contemptuous. I've called a couple on it (subtly)--just asking hlthe2b Jul 15 #7
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Jul 15 #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 Jul 15 #14
Gross as hell! serbbral Jul 15 #18
Yup, stops the stare in a heartbeat!!! Then I laugh!!! nt mitch96 Jul 15 #23
I've encountered it . . . markpkessinger Jul 15 #15
There is, I think, also a verbal (or non-verbal) equivalent . . . markpkessinger Jul 15 #16
if the calls are recorded - and they usually are Skittles Jul 15 #19
Yes, I always hear that my calls are being recorded for training senseandsensibility Jul 15 #20
Are Gen Z Rebl2 Jul 15 #21
Right? TxGuitar Jul 15 #27
I remember doing this canetoad Jul 15 #41
Wow, they really invented something completely and totally new! Think. Again. Jul 15 #22
Oh I had that stare DOWN when I was a teenager senseandsensibility Jul 15 #24
Plenty have done it in the workplace... Think. Again. Jul 15 #25
😂 Rebl2 Jul 15 #28
Squirt Bottle ZDU Jul 15 #26
No then Rebl2 Jul 15 #29
The cats never say anything ZDU Jul 15 #31
Nah Rebl2 Jul 15 #32
Exactly! ZDU Jul 15 #33
They wait till you leave Conjuay Jul 16 #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 Jul 15 #30
I kind of like "my bad" senseandsensibility Jul 15 #34
Now they have "Hey Dude" shoes, I doc03 Jul 15 #36
Hey Dude is a 17 year old Italian-founded fashion firm that was bought up by Crocs three years ago. Celerity Jul 15 #40
I like MY BAD too Skittles Jul 15 #37
You're definitely not Gen X Polybius Jul 15 #43
Why are they tagging Gen Z with this? Aristus Jul 15 #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 Jul 16 #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 Jul 15 #38
I'm an expert at it róisín_dubh Jul 15 #44
You do realize that grouping people by when they were Conjuay Jul 16 #47
Right? Scott Alan Swaggerty Sunday #50
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