Elsa Angel Rose
Curious about Gen Z? The generation that grew up alongside the internet and witnessed the world transform at a rapid pace, one naturally wonders how they are and the way they perceive the world. How do they approach classrooms, workplaces, friendships and the world around them? What are the things they embrace, question or simply cannot stand? While surveys and studies often attempt to define Gen Z through common traits, every individual is shaped by their own experiences, upbringing and aspirations. Beyond the labels of being “always online” or “too dependent on technology” is a generation that is finding its voice, challenging old norms and creating its own way of navigating life.
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Gen Z at school is indeed fascinating to observe. “Some Gen Z students are exceptionally tech-savvy and are quick to process visual information,” said Jude Fernandes, Assistant Professor in English, Don Bosco College, Panjim. Prolonged screen time is something easily noticeable in them. “Give them a short break during a long class, and their phones pop out in no time!” Regarding the performance of Gen Z students, the professor shared that, “Generally, it’s a mixed bunch, and every batch of students has a unique vibe. Some are attentive and enthusiastic, while there are some who require reminders, one-on-one guidance and may not always respond the way you hope. What matters is their mindset and the willingness to grow.” Articulating oneself clearly, showcasing empathy and developing situational awareness are a few areas Gen Z students need improvement in, according to the professor. Jude added, “They also need to brush up their knowledge about career prospects and current affairs, including eminent people in Goa.”
“They ask ‘why’ before doing something, not after. Earlier hires would follow an instruction first and question it later, if at all. Managers who explain the reason get better output from them. Managers who just issue orders lose them fast,” shared Juned Khan, a human resource management expert and Founder & CEO of a recruitment agency in Panjim. Elaborating on the idiosyncrasies of the online generation, Juned shared, “They negotiate everything at offer stage—salary, notice period, work-from-home days, even at entry level, even here in Goa where the market is smaller than a metro. Ten years ago that kind of negotiation started at 3-4 years of experience. Now it starts at zero. They check out fast without a feedback loop. Silence from a manager for two weeks reads to them as ‘this job doesn’t matter’. Part of this is genuinely generational; they grew up with constant digital feedback, likes, streaks, notifications, so silence lands differently on them than it did on someone who grew up without that.”
Gen Z is good at learning new tools fast, and admitting ‘I don’t know’ instead of faking it.
“That second one sounds small, but it saves companies real money, less rework, fewer mistakes hidden and discovered later,” said Juned. There are many behavioural skills or workplace competencies that Gen Z needs to work on. “Sitting with a hard, boring task long enough to finish it properly, instead of chasing the next interesting thing, handling direct criticism without treating it as a personal attack- that’s the biggest skill gap I see across every sector we place into. Some of that criticism sensitivity does connect to the anxiety and burnout numbers you see in most Gen Z surveys, so it’s worth naming as a real pattern, not just an excuse,” shared the HR expert.
“One of the most commonly recognised behaviours of Gen Z would be self expression and self-love, which is always misunderstood as being rude and arrogant. Secondly, the social media culture is very entrenched in behaviour; whether it is communicating through memes and reels or expressing ourselves through posting, this aspect heavily guides demeanour and perspectives of Gen Z in general. And lastly, the drive to support and be there for each other is the most endearing quality of all,” said Neha Laximan Gauns Gaunkar, another 20-year-old girl from Tiswadi. The deep love for oneself is wisely expressed through fashion and the way one carries oneself. “Gen Z are often associated with their ability to express themselves freely, and this is reflected in their fashion and aesthetic; they, in a way, have drifted away from the rigid polish attires that strictly matches an effortless or chaotic look that prioritises comfort and is experimental in a sense, where they’ll combine different ‘aesthetics’ to create a new one.
Every individual will create looks exhibiting their individuality and free will,” shared Neha. Their self-expression was immensely visible during the recent NEET paper leak protests. A generation often perceived as extremely anxious, lacking social skills and more, voices out their concerns or reacts when necessary. Constant exposure to information on social media regarding climate crisis, political instability, and other global crises causes anxiety and pushes them more to express themselves and voice out more. “Social media platforms give young people immediate tools to organise, share resources, and speak publicly without needing permission from traditional gatekeepers,” said Neha.
SMALL TALK AND OTHER ICKS OF GEN Z
Having to do small talk is considered one of the major icks by Gen Z. “We usually feel more comfortable having deeper conversations with people of our own age because our thoughts, humour, and experiences often match. The difficulty usually comes when there’s a significant age gap. Sometimes our mindset isn’t fully understood, which makes conversations feel forced or uncomfortable,” said Ambika Morajkar, a 20-year-old from Fatorda. From social habits to workplace culture, Gen Z has developed their own list of ‘icks’, behaviours they often find outdated, inauthentic or unnecessary. The internet generation is quick to question performative corporate culture, and the glorification of overwork and burnout. They are also less accepting of the idea that struggle alone equals success, and value boundaries, accountability and mental health conversations. Outside the workplace, they often cringe at people trying too hard to appear cool, being fake, misusing outdated slang, or recording every moment instead of experiencing it. Even small social behaviours, such as calling without texting first, can feel intrusive.
Their concerns also extend to environmental responsibility and dismissive attitudes towards social issues, reflecting a broader preference for awareness and meaningful action. “One of the biggest icks for us is when people judge us for our dreams or passions. If we have a goal we truly believe in, it should be our choice to pursue it without constantly being told that it is ‘out of our league’. That kind of judgment can be very discouraging. Another major ick is being misunderstood whenever we speak up for what we believe is right. Many times, expressing a different opinion is mistaken for disrespect, especially by older generations,” said Ambika.
