Gen Z doesn’t answer the phone with “hello.” Though there are no concrete numbers on it, there is a common habit among Gen Z to answer calls with a greeting tailored to the name that pops up on their screen. Because they already know who is calling, friends are unlikely to get a dry “hello,” and more likely to hear something silly (like a Minion-voiced “bello”) or jump straight into the conversation with a “what’s up.” Other times, they say nothing at all—particularly when the number is unrecognized, a habit that’s being likened to the “Gen Z stare” that went viral last year. However, teens and young adults have good reason to stay silent; if they’re not sure who’s calling, some worry a spam call could record their voice and reuse it through AI. It’s also simply reality that phone calls are not Gen Z’s preferred method of communication, and when they want to say something too long for a text, most will send a voice note rather than call. (NYT)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Is Gen Z Really Anxious About Answering the Phone and Driving?
