Generation Z stands apart from previous generations in many ways. While we may not grasp all their nuances, it’s beneficial for us to understand some of them to stay informed.
This article will explore how something that seems harmless to us might be perceived as ‘rude’ by others.
Continue reading to learn more…
After Baby Boomers and Gen-X struggled to understand millennials, now it’s Generation Z that leaves many feeling puzzled. Like any younger generation, Gen Z exhibits behaviors that can be challenging for older individuals to comprehend.
Interestingly, many young people view the ‘thumbs up’ emoji as less than friendly, often labeling it as ‘passive-aggressive’ and even ‘triggering’ for some.
A Gen-Z worker who recently entered the professional world shared, “I started a job where we use Microsoft Teams for communication. There are only a few emojis available for reacting to messages (unless you choose to reply with any emoji). Most of my colleagues frequently use the ‘thumbs up’ reaction.”
They added, “I don’t use it much. I prefer to react with a ‘heart’ or respond directly, even if it’s just a quick ‘Great!’ or ‘Thanks!’ (I feel like I might overuse exclamation marks, but that’s another topic).
They wrapped up by asking for others’ thoughts, “I think it’s common to ‘thumbs up’ messages, but it still feels like an unsettling response to me.
Does anyone else feel this way?”
One user expressed a similar thought, stating, “For younger individuals (I’m 24, for context), the thumbs-up emoji often comes across as quite passive-aggressive.”
Another person chimed in, saying, “It likely feels off-putting because it lacks a personal touch, and from what I gather in this post, you seem to value more authentic interactions with others.”
This highlights a generational divide in the interpretation of the thumbs-up emoji and its implications for different audiences. What are your thoughts on this shift in meaning for an emoji? We’d love to hear from you in the comments. Feel free to share this with anyone else who might find it interesting!