What does Gen Z notice first when meeting someone new? To explore this, we surveyed around 1,000 members of the Student Edge community across Australia, asking them to reflect on the first things they typically notice about someone during an in person encounter. The aim was to better understand how first impressions are formed in real life settings such as school, work, or social spaces.

Their responses generally reveal a balanced view. While appearance, clothing, and fashion style are frequently mentioned, some also describe noticing tone, emotional energy, and social behaviour. Gen Z is not only observant of how people look but also how they treat others, how they carry themselves, and how they make others feel.

This way of reading others reflects what Erving Goffman described as the presentation of self. People use appearance, speech, and body language to manage the impression they give in social interactions. Gen Z appears to pick up on both the deliberate and unintentional cues people give off, especially during the early moments of meeting.

From the feedback we gathered from Gen Z, we have identified two interesting patterns.

1. Body image and the emotional cost of appearance

Body image has long been associated with adolescent self confidence. Lacroix et al. (2021) discusses that body dissatisfaction in early adolescence is linked to social anxiety, lower self-esteem, and reduced peer engagement. When appearance dominates social interactions, it can restrict the ability to connect freely with others.

This pattern is evident in our previous findings as well. We found that the way girls and young women look emerges as the strongest driver of self-confidence. Our respondents describe noticing facial features, eye or hair colour, and body language as part of their early assessments. We believe these visual cues shape how they perceive others and probably also how they feel about being seen themselves. These expectations can lead to challenging experiences during in person interactions. However, our findings also reveal that Gen Z is capable of looking beyond appearance.

“Usually I notice what they wear first. I’m quite a person who loves fashion and aesthetics, so I would notice their fashion styles first. And then if I talk to them, I would probably notice the way they interact with other people and their usual talking tones.”

“First their outfits or hair, then how we are interacting, what their attitude is like, how they talk, what they say so I know if I have to take a more formal response or I can be a bit more relaxed.”

They also demonstrate an empathy toward others.

“I notice if they are nice or not. Sometimes I can tell if they are struggling with mental health.”

“Some people radiate joy and happiness. It’s always awesome to meet people who shine in desirable ways.”

“I notice their overall energy first. Kinda like a gut feeling. So are they nervous, fun, introverted or extroverted. I also notice their facial expression. For example, if they smile when they talk.”

These findings are consistent with Roberta Katz’s observations, Gen Z have high emotional awareness. They are not only scanning for looks, but also are paying attention to how someone feels and what kind of presence they bring into a room.

2. The inclusive world Gen Z is creating

Recent research from Stanford (Katz et al., 2022) describes Gen Z as collaborative, self-driven, and deeply caring about others, with a strong desire to foster diverse and inclusive communities. This aligns with one of the most striking findings in our own study: what Gen Z did not mention.

Very few respondents referred to gender, accent, skin colour, or cultural background as part of their first impressions. For previous generations, these attributes shaped social hierarchies and reinforced discrimination. For Gen Z, they appear to carry less weight in first impressions. These once defining markers seem to be fading from their social glossary.

This suggests that Gen Z is helping shape a more inclusive world. It is a world where people are seen for who they are, not reduced to stereotypes or generalisations. While it is not perfect, it reflects real progress. Gen Z is demonstrating what previous generations have dreamed of which is a more open, accepting, and emotionally intelligent way of meeting others.

What this means for brands

The findings offer some guidance for brands that want to design meaningful experiences for Gen Z. This is especially important in physical spaces where face-to-face interactions still matter. Whether in retail, education, health, or service settings, young people are not just looking at what a brand says. They are paying close attention to how it behaves and how it makes them feel.

Here are three actions we believe brands can take:

1. Mind the concerns related to appearance, but learn the real meaning of empathy

It is no secret that young people experience significant pressure around appearance. Brands can differentiate by acknowledging Gen Z’s empathy and emotional awareness.

2. Build emotionally intelligent experiences

Brands should consider how they demonstrate empathy, not just in messaging but through behaviour and tone during co-created experiences. Frontline staff should be trained to interact with empathy and kindness. People on the frontline should aim to create experiences that feel safe and welcoming. Gen Z notices tone, facial expression, and behaviour, just as they do with their peers.

3. Make inclusion visible and authentic

Inclusion comes naturally to Gen Z. Brands should ensure that representation is meaningful, that experiences are accessible, and that messaging reflects genuine cultural respect.

Gen Z forms impressions quickly, but they are thoughtful and emotionally aware. They feel the weight of appearance, but they know how to look beyond it. They are stripping away the old filters that once stood in the way of genuine connection. For brands, this is both a challenge and an invitation. Be intentional. Be clear. Be kind. If you want to leave a lasting impression, start with how you make young people feel.

We believe future research should explore online interactions. We know how important social media is in Gen Z’s world. It is time to focus on understanding how first impressions are formed in digital environments.

 

Resources:

Lacroix E, Atkinson MJ, Garbett KM, Diedrichs PC. (2022). One size does not fit all: Trajectories of body image development and their predictors in early adolescence. Development and Psychopathology, 34(1):285-294

Katz, R., Ogilvie, S., Shaw, J., & Woodhead, L. (2021). Gen Z, Explained: The Art of Living in a Digital Age. The University of Chicago Press