The Gen Z Stare: What it Might Be Teaching Us

Image courtesy of Franceso Sommacal at Pexels

What some have dubbed the “Gen Z Stare” 👀 has become a bit of a cultural shorthand lately fueling everything from memes to morning talk show debates.

“Kids today have no social skills.”

“They’re so rude—no expression, no response.”

“I was raised to look people in the eye and smile!”

But here’s a thought... what if the Gen Z Stare isn’t a problem to fix, but instead an invitation to pause? To let go of the need for performance.To release our grip on visible proof. To stay present, even when the feedback loop is silent.

Because the truth is, many young people are listening.They do care.They’re just navigating a world we never had to grow up in. A world that asks them to be “on” constantly.To self-brand before they self-discover.To consume, scroll, and respond at a speed that doesn’t always allow space for softness.

And there’s something else, too—something we often forget: Gen Z has grown up in a world where most connection happens behind a screen.They’ve learned to communicate through writing where there’s time to pause, edit, soften, even delete. But with face-to-face, interactions there’s no such buffer. No text bubble delay. No GIF to bridge the awkwardness. Just presence. Just pressure. And for a generation raised in the digital space, that can feel like standing under a spotlight with no script. So maybe the stare isn’t avoidance. Maybe it’s buffering. Maybe it’s a child doing their best to stay present when everything inside says,“Say the right thing, or say nothing at all.”

At The Milo Way, we believe that feelings don’t have to be loud to be real. And connection doesn’t always look the way we expect. Some kids cry easily. Some kids go quiet. Some kids meet your story with wide, still eyes that give nothing away until later. Maybe. If you’re lucky.

And that’s okay.

So if you’re a parent, teacher, or tender-hearted grown-up wondering how to connect with a child who gives you The Stare start here: Stay curious. Stay kind. Don’t force the smile. Let your presence say, “You don’t have to perform for me to be here.” Because sometimes, the deepest respect you can offer is to hold space…and wait. 🫶🩷