GEN Z SPEAKS IN EMOJIS AND STARES

Time of India

14 hours ago

For Mumbai-based Gen Z professional Sanjana Despande, using smiling emojis and occasionally stickers in work chats feels like a natural form of communication. She says, 'The 'raising hands' emoji is my favourite for celebrating wins or reacting to messages.
It always works.'
Working in a fully remote setup where communication is entirely text-based, she finds emojis essential to convey tone and emotion. 'They help add context that words alone can't,' she explains.
A recent survey supports this trend, revealing that 88% of Gen Z believe emojis enhance communication by signalling tone, urgency, and meaning. In contrast, Gen X and Boomers use emojis far less and often see them as unprofessional in workplace settings, highlighting a clear generational divide in digital communication styles.
What is 'digital body language'
Gen Z views emojis as part of a digital version of body language, similar to facial expressions, tone of voice, and punctuation. These small details help avoid misunderstandings, especially when working remotely. It's not just about what is said, but how, through punctuation, speed of reply, tone, and emojis. Gen Z uses all these signs to read someone's mood or urgency when they can't see them face-to-face.
Older generations, however, tend to take messages more literally and often miss these emotional cues.
Despande observes that older people tend to make emails sound mechanical, often stripped of punctuation, save for the occasional comma or full stop. 'Exclamation marks or emojis rarely make an appearance, and even when they do, they're usually out of context,' she says.
-
88%
of Gen Z workers say using emojis makes workplace communication better
- Gen Z is
2.5X
more likely than older colleagues to feel motivated by emoji reactions
-
61%
of Gen Z are more likely to read messages if they include emojis
Emojis help with tone, but use them with care
Experts say emojis can help humanise digital work communication.
'In fast-paced, mostly virtual workplaces, where face-to-face interaction is rare, emojis can soften tone, reduce misunderstandings, and add warmth. Even a simple 🙂 or 👍 can make messages feel friendlier and less abrupt,' says psychotherapist Ami Patel.
However, she warns that overusing emojis or being too casual with them may blur professional boundaries, especially across seniority levels. 'This matters more in intergenerational settings.
Many older professionals, especially those from more traditional work cultures, view formality as a sign of respect, which includes tone and clarity in writing. A message filled with emojis might seem too casual or careless to them, even if that wasn't the sender's intent,' she explains.
NO WORDS, JUST THE 'GEN Z STARE'
Apart from using emojis, another new trend among Gen Z that's getting attention online and at work is the 'Gen Z stare'.
It's a long, blank, expressionless look that they give in different social situations. This stare often comes as a response to a simple hello or a question at work, which leaves older colleagues confused.
Many people have found themselves on the receiving end of a blank stare while interacting with Gen Z — a behaviour that has recently sparked widespread discussion online. Posting about the phenomenon, a Reddit user who had just come across the term 'Gen Z stare' writes, 'I've seen this happening for a while but never realised there was a term for it until now. I'm almost glad this is a universal experience and not just me?'
Another Reddit user shares that he witnesses this stare almost everywhere.
He writes, 'I've been experiencing this everywhere — from cashiers, waiters, even random encounters. I'm honestly so over it. The awkward energy makes every interaction uncomfortable.'
M
eanwhile, another user attributes it to a lack of social skills. He writes, 'Gen Z has a greater deficit in social skills because they were on lockdown at a key moment in their development and are otherwise glued to their phones.'
Speaking about the trend, Navya Chaudhary, a Delhi-based influencer, says, 'Millennials have made the 'Gen Z stare' a big thing. But really, it's just the face we make when someone asks something shocking.'
According to news reports, this is part of a wider pattern of generational habits, like the 'millennial pause' or baby boomers ending their texts like formal letters.
- A research study suggests that neutral or blank expressions can act as emotional shields, helping people manage their feelings in awkward social situations.
- Another study highlights a shift from showing a perfect image online to being more real—or slightly disenchanted.
- Among Gen Z, the neutral stare has become a cultural sign—showing ironic detachment and self-awareness, rather than boredom or lack of interest.
THE COMMUNICATION SHIFT
- Digital upbringing: Gen Z joined the workforce during or after the pandemic, when digital tools were widely used. So, using emojis became a natural part of how they communicate
- Changing workplace: With more remote work and online communication, it's harder to show tone. Emojis help younger workers express themselves more clearly
- Cultural change: Gen Z now comprises 25% of India's workforce, and this is expected to increase to 47% by 2035. As their numbers rise, their emoji-friendly way of talking is shaping how people communicate at work
Different generations see professionalism through different lenses. For some, emojis feel too casual; for others, they bring warmth. Communication isn't one-size-fits-all—it's relational. The most effective people adapt to context and audience
Ami Patel, psychotherapist
Emojis at work make messages sweeter. 'Kind regards' feels low-key sarcastic. 'Kind regards🎀' — that's pure munchkin-coded
Navya Chaudhary, a Gen Z influencer