As an early 90’s millennial, I’ve never noticed a “gen z stare” as described in news articles like a “blank face that shows lack of social skill or ability to think”. The only times I’ve witnessed it happen and seen the older person accuse them of “gen z stare” is when the older person says something off hand or dumb but isn’t self aware enough to realize they’re being weird. Hell, I’ve given people a blank face countless times because I was taught it was better to say nothing at all sometimes. Especially when it came to talking to older people at work.
I remember when I was 16, some middle aged guy at work accused me of having no personality. In reality, I kept all conversations short as possible with him (like almost everyone in the store) because they were casually racist and misogynistic.
how does absence of small talk negatively affect other people
It might make them uncomfortable. If you don’t make polite small talk, they won’t know if you’re a safe person to be around. Did you not know that?
Whether someone makes polite small talk seems like a weird way of judging people’s trustworthiness, although, people will reveal stuff about themselves in conversations. But the things that reveal trustworthiness are more likely to be mentioned in serious conversation than in small talk.
that’s correct! good job! and small talk is the polite predecessor to serious conversation. that’s why it’s important :)