Some members of Gen Z are speaking out on social media, criticizing the use of the thumbs-up emoji.
Apparently, they believe it not only comes across as rude but also makes you seem out of touch.
Some Zoomers feel the thumbs-up emoji gives off a ‘passive-aggressive’ vibe. Credit: Adobe Stock
The discussion gained traction after a Reddit user sparked debate by asking if others shared the same impression.
“I recently started a corporate job where we use Microsoft Teams to communicate,” they shared.
“At the moment, there are only a handful of emojis available to react to messages—unless you reply directly, then you can use any emoji.”
“Most of my coworkers use the thumbs-up reaction constantly. I tend to avoid it—I usually go with a heart or just reply with something simple like ‘Great!’ or ‘Thanks!’ (Though I do worry I overuse exclamation points, but that’s another issue).
“Anyway, I get that the thumbs-up is a common response, but something about it just feels off to me. Does anyone else find it a little unsettling?”
Naturally, the post sparked a wave of responses, with people split on what the emoji actually means.
One person wrote: “For younger people (I’m 24, for reference), the thumbs-up emoji comes across as pretty passive-aggressive. It feels super rude if someone just sends a thumbs-up. I had a hard time adjusting because my workplace is the same. It’s definitely a generational communication culture difference.”
Echoing the sentiment, another user added: “I don’t know why, but it always felt a bit hostile to me—like they’re acknowledging you, but also kind of saying, ‘I don’t really care or I’m not interested.’”
A third person chimed in: “It’s really not that strange to view it as passive-aggressive. Just imagine walking into your boss’s office, saying something, and then having them just turn, look you in the eye, and give you a thumbs-up.”
According to Emojipedia, the thumbs-up emoji is recognized as something that “can be interpreted as passive-aggressive or sarcastic.” While some people use it that way, the site also notes it often serves as a quick and genuine way to show approval.
Recently, Fox News host Emily Compagno weighed in on the discussion, saying she has no intention of changing her emoji habits based on Gen Z’s opinions. During a segment on the channel, she said: “We’re supposed to alter our behavior and silent communication because they’re a bunch of snowflakes? No, thanks.”
