Cold Stare

This Guardian commentary by Emma Beddington humorously contrasts the much-discussed “Gen Z stare”(a blank, impassive, sometimes judgmental look) with the deeper, world-weary “Gen X look of dread.” Beddington notes how Gen Z (aged 13–28) have been accused of deploying a bored, superior expression when interacting with others, and this “stare” has become a meme-worthy subject on social media and TikTok. I have been at the receiving end of this stare more times than I can count but did not realize it was such a common, widespread phenomenon. Just assumed that I was being given that look because I had been deemed clueless and inept by the young person. 

But as a Gen X’er herself, Beddington argues that nothing compares to the anxious, haunted look perfected by Gen X. Where the Gen Z stare might signal disinterest or silent critique, the Gen X “look of dread” is rooted in the existential anxieties of a generation who weathered everything from nuclear panic in childhood to economic uncertainty in adulthood. I am no as versed with this look and am not sure I have observed it with as much frequency as the Gen Z stare. Maybe there is truth to it and I just need to pay closer attention.

Beddington’s tongue-in-cheek take throws light on generational stereotypes and pokes fun at the endless cycle of adults scrutinizing (and fearing) the facial expressions of the “youth.” Ultimately, she suggests that while Gen Z might have the viral stare of today, Gen X will always own the slightly haunted, permanently stressed glaze acquired after decades of bracing for doom, only to be met by the blank, unbothered faces of the next cohort. It seems to me that Gen Z has to prepare for doom no less than the rest of us. Some would argue even more. Maybe they will swap the stare out for the look for permanent panic over time.