TikTok users refer to the Gen Z stare as a blank stare given by Gen Zers while others are trying to communicate with them. According to videos posted online on the topic, it mainly refers to a look being employed by customer service workers. Older generations say it occurs instead of a greeting or small talk while working at a cash register, for instance.

The topic has been subject to much debate on TikTok. Some argue about its existence, while others say it is a reaction to customers not understanding basic information being communicated to them. Some also say that the Gen Z stare can be triggered by anxiety and a rejection of small talk, a customary part of customer service culture in the United States.

Discussions surrounding generational divides perform well on TikTok. In the past, topics of debate have included the millennial pause (a small pause taken by millennials after pressing record on their phones) or millennial cringe, which refers to videos of millennials acting in a way deemed to be ridiculous or funny by Gen Zers on the app.

@samishere_99 Gen z stare is permanently plastered on my face #genz #genzstare #fyp #trending #viral #fy ♬ original sound – Sumana Isa

@leftisttradwife All the #tea all the #shade #staringcontest #genz ♬ original sound – Kait

How did the discourse around the Gen Z stare come to be?

Discourse and debate about the Gen Z stare was started in part by 30-year-old TikTok user Riley Despot, who went viral after recounting an interaction with her daughter’s gold instructor. She said she was met with a stare as she thanked the coach, and was met with a very brief response when enquiring about payment, according to Newsweek.

“Looking back on the actual situation I encountered, I don’t think the golf instructor had rude or malicious intentions. However, it came across that way. The conversation was just so awkward. I also walked away wondering if I had done something wrong,” Despot said.

She also told the news outlet that she finds generational differences interesting to discuss, although they can’t be generalized.

@xiandivyne #fyp #xiandivyne ♬ original sound – Christian Divyne

@thisisjenae ♬ original sound – jenae

Could the Gen Z stare be triggered by social anxiety?

A common explanation to the Gen Z stare is that it is due to feelings of awkwardness or social anxiety felt by younger generations.

“Like all things that gain attention, I think it’s because the generations disagree on what it actually is. If you read the comments on my post, Gen Z seems to think it’s more of a judgment stare, while most other people agree it’s a result of social anxiety or just being awkward,” 20-year-old TikToker user Kenny Finegan told Newsweek.

Some experts agree that a blank reaction can be due to feelings of being overwhelmed while interacting in person after being used to exchanging with others online. They also refer to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hindered many Gen Zers’ social interactions at a formative age.

“I see the stare as a visible manifestation of internal overwhelm. Gen Z grew up with asynchronous digital communication, where you have time to craft responses,” Daren Banarsë, a senior psychotherapist at IN Therapy, told Newsweek. “Real-time face-to-face interaction can trigger a sort of cognitive traffic jam, where their brains need extra seconds to process unexpected social demands.”

Others see social media, in particular the proliferation of online scrutiny and constant stimulation, as having contributed to a form of burnout for Gen Z.

“We’re the first generation to grow up with our faces constantly on display in selfies, stories, video calls, with everything being scrutinized online,” Gen Z self-help expert Tam Kaur told Newsweek. “That creates a heightened sense of self-consciousness and a fear of being judged, even in the smallest interactions.”
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If you love wearing elegant pearl earrings, some social media users believe they might be hurting your chances at finding love, while others argue that the idea is complete nonsense.

As YouTuber Ki_Smith explained in her June 23 video, the viral “Pearl Earring Theory” suggests that wearing pearl earrings can make some men feel intimidated or hesitant to approach you. The idea is that pearl earrings give the impression you’re a “woman of a certain caliber” or high maintenance, signaling that only men who see themselves on that level should be the first to make a move.

RELATED CONTENT: What Is the ‘Sticky Eyes’ Dating Hack? Singles Swear It Might Just Score You A Date

Ki didn’t seem too convinced by the theory, joking that she needed to “start wearing pearls” to find the perfect match.

However, TikTok star Ericka Dane hinted that she believes there may be some truth to the theory.

“Am I single by choice or is it because of the pearl earring theory?” the influencer penned in a video that captured her pulling her hair back to reveal small pearl stud earrings. 

A few ladies agreed with Ericka, including one user who responded, “I’ve been wearing pearls since grade 10 and I can tell you that it is true!”

There’s no science to back up whether the Pearl Earring Theory is true.

While this idea has gained popularity online, there is no scientific evidence to support it. Vice highlightedthat the theory is more of a fun, anecdotal narrative than a fact-based concept. Still, social media users are divided. Some believe pearls contribute to failed romantic connections, while others dismiss the idea entirely.

TikTok star Peyton Mikolayek told fans on June 23 that she was “proud” to wear her pearls and confirmed she has a boyfriend, shutting down the theory as completely “not real.”

Here’s the deal. While your personal style—such as the jewelry you wear—can impact first impressions, studies show that traits like confidence, communication skills, and especially emotional intelligence play a much more significant role in how women are perceived.

“One of the main reasons emotional intelligence is so attractive is that it allows a woman to navigate conflicts with grace and empathy,” noted relationship expert Anastasia Maisuradze in a blog for Soul Matcher published Jan. 27. “Men find attractive women who are able to communicate their feelings effectively without escalating tensions. For example, in a disagreement, a woman with high EQ can express her feelings calmly and listen to her partner’s perspective without getting defensive or overly emotional,” she added. “This creates a safe space for open dialogue and resolution, making the relationship feel more secure and nurturing.”

In the end, the Pearl Earring Theory is more of an amusing internet myth than a genuine obstacle to relationships. As one commenter reassured Ericka, “God will give us what we wanted and more in the right time. Trust him.”

RELATED CONTENT: Nail That First Date: Tips To Keep It Fun, Flirty And Far From Cringe

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