Cal Gaunt
Gen Z wants people to stop using the thumbs-up emoji as they think it comes across as rude and ‘passive-aggressive.’
Generation Z, also known as Zoomers, refers to people born during the late 1990s and early 2000s, with some sources specifying between 1997 and 2012.
Some people from this generation are now taking to social media and calling out people who use the thumbs-up emoji.
Apparently, it doesn’t only make you look old but rude too.
The debate regarding the emoticon heated up when a Redditor asked others if they found it passive-aggressive too.
“I started an ‘adult’ job where we use Microsoft Teams to connect with each other for work,” the person explained.
“Currently, there are 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 to ‘thumbs up’ messages, but I still feel like it’s such an unsettling response. Does anyone else feel this way?”
Naturally, there’s been a wave of responses, with people divided on what the emoji stands for.
One person comments: “For younger people (I’m 24 for reference) the thumbs up emoji is used to be really passive-aggressive.
“It’s super rude if someone just sends you a thumbs up. So I also had a weird time adjusting because my workplace is the same.
“So yeah, it’s a generational communication culture difference.”
In agreement, a second user says: “I don’t know why but it seemed a little bit hostile to me, like an acknowledgment but kind of saying ‘I don’t really care/am not interested?”
“It’s not that odd to see it as passive-aggressive,” weighs in a third. “Just imagine how would it feel to go into your boss’ room, say something, and then see him turn to you, look you in the eye, and give you a thumbs up.”
However, others think people are reading far too much into the emoji, with one Redditor responding: “Passive aggressive? Are you being serious or facetious? It’s a thumbs up.”
“You’re thinking about it too much! Use whatever you want,” adds another.
According to the Emojipedia website, it’s acknowledged that the thumbs-up emoji ‘can be construed as being passive aggressive or sarcastic.’ It states that while some people may use it this way, it also represents a way of ‘quickly and earnestly expressing approval.’
Recently, Fox News host Emily Compagno weighed in on the matter and said she doesn’t care what Gen Z thinks about her and the emojis she uses in a recent debate on the channel.
She stated: “We have to somehow change our behavior and our silent communication because they’re a bunch of snowflakes? No, thanks.”
Related Article: Gen Z Think That The Smiley Face Emoji Is ‘Passive-Aggressive’ And ‘Sinister’
Related Article: Legal Expert Warns To Be Careful Sending Thumbs-Up Emojis After Man Is Ordered To Pay $62,258
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