The thumbs-up emoji, once a universally positive symbol, is facing backlash from younger generations.
A Reddit user sparked a debate by questioning its use in professional settings, particularly among millennials and Gen Z.
The post ignited a flurry of responses.
Some agreed, finding the thumbs-up passive-aggressive or dismissive.
Others saw it as a simple way to acknowledge a message, similar to "okay" or "understood." One commenter even questioned the user's comfort with "heart" emojis while shying away from the thumbs-up.
They wrote: “I started an ‘adult’ job where we use Microsoft Teams to connect with each other for work.
“Currently, there only a few emojis you can use to react to a message (unless of course, you respond, and can use any emoji). Most people at work use the ‘thumbs up’ reaction all the time.
“I don’t use it much. I either ‘heart’ reactions or reply even if it’s a short ‘Great!’ or ‘Thanks!’ (I also feel like I use too many exclamation marks, but that’s a different story).
“Anyway, I think it’s normal for to ‘thumbs up’ messages, but I still feel like it’s such an unsettling response. Does anyone else feel this way?”
The post quickly went viral on social media, sparking debate while some were in agreement, others were not so much.
One person said: Basically everything these days is offensive. Don't get it.
A second wrote: I'm a millennial and it's always been viewed as passive-aggressive lmao.
While a third commented: I think it all depends on what an emoji is used in regards to and it’s also on your perception of it.
Another said: I think people have lost all communication skills. They interpret anything and everything as offensive. It’s sad.
I'm Gen X and can tell you it's not passive-aggressive as a Gen X if we want to tell you to do one & give the bird, we would just do that & not mess about dropping hints. Someone else said.
This discussion highlights the evolving nature of emoji communication. What was once a clear symbol can take on new meanings depending on context and generation.
It's a reminder to be mindful of how your chosen emoji might be interpreted.
