Millennial TikTok creators claim that Gen Z respond to basic questions and small talk with the ‘Gen Z stare'—here’s the TikTok debate, explained.

A generational debate has started over Gen Z’s tendency to respond to various social situations with a long and intentional stare.

The ‘Gen Z stare’ is a real thing and it has sparked a seriously heated debate online with Millennials claiming its 'rude'.

A war is waging online between generations over the Gen Z Stare. While Millennials blame a lack of social skills, Gen Z are blaming insufferable customer requests - but who is right?

Gen Z is increasingly choosing to take on multiple jobs. Some creators are going a step further and posting about their side hustles on TikTok.

This week's discourse has revolved around the so-called "Gen Z stare" in professional and retail environments. But what are people really talking about?

This particular TikTok trend is quickly becoming a flashpoint in debates about workplace culture, generational divides, and the future of soft skills. While it may seem like a fleeting meme, the Gen Z stare is emblematic of deeper economic and social shifts as the youngest working generation reshapes the labor market.

Banarsë compared it to the "Millennial Pause," a brief moment of silence before speaking in a video, adding that today's social quirks go viral more quickly. Banarsë added that the stare is part of Gen Z's move toward authenticity and boundary-setting—where emotional labor isn't automatically performed to meet outdated norms.

When asked to vote on a generic ballot for 2026, older Gen Z and younger millennial voters, ages 22-29, backed Democrats by a 6-point majority. But younger Gen Z voters, ages 18-21, backed Republicans by nearly 12 percentage points.

Teens today aren't uninformed - they're just getting information from places that haven't necessarily been thoroughly vetted and fact-checked (if an effort was made for honesty at all). We used to turn to big name news outlets and TV broadcasts to learn what's happening in the world,