Commentary
Older Canadians sometimes complain about the so-called “Gen Z stare.” It is the flat, inscrutable look many twentysomethings give in everyday interactions—at the counter in a café, behind a hotel desk, or across a retail checkout. To older generations accustomed to smiles and small talk, the expression can feel unsettling. Theories abound. Some say it reflects social awkwardness caused by smartphones and social media. Others blame pandemic lockdowns and years of disrupted schooling. Still others see it as an ironic reaction to the exaggerated positivity of earlier online culture.
