10/03/2025

Why Gen Z Hates Small Talk

Asking Gladys in HR about her weekend is a no-fly zone for some

Small talk is often awkward and boring. It is also a requisite skill to learn to participate as a socially adept person in society—as well as the workplace. But mustering "So, where are you going for lunch?" to that one guy from sales in the elevator might be a no-go for the workforce's youngest members.

In a discussion sparked by a viral TikTok, many have dubbed the ritualistic nicety as "cringe"—Gen Z’s go-to dig for anything perceived as try-hard or uncool. In the TikTok skit (with nearly 3 million views), the user acts out a conversation in which every attempt at small talk is brusquely shut down, mixed with plenty of drawn-out "umms" and eye rolls.

"POV: You're trying to talk to people in 2025," the text over the video reads. Off camera, a chipper voice asks the woman on-screen: "So, what do you do for work" "Ummmm... stuff," she replies.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Fast Company.