to think a big thumb is not good on whatsapp?

[FreeekStarz]

That's it really- I just gave my friend a big thumbs up- AIBU to hope she gets the message I'm not interested in her innane smiling photos in designer outfits outside every tourist attraction in the uk?

Either lazy approval
Or
Pure sarcasm

Lazy approval in my case 🤣

@Lolamambam you've exactly what I was trying to say! At least someone was on the same wavelength as me...

Seems the big thumb means different things to different people.

Can’t you just … ignore the photos?

I understand that a thumbs up from anyone remotely savvy means ‘Yeah, lovely, whatevs’

OTOH, my MIL and my dad and others of that generation use it as it’s generally meant with no snark - ‘That’s great’; ‘I love it’; ‘Yes, of course’.

In general though I think expecting people to interpret or not complex things like ‘I am your friend but I dislike this aspect of our friendship where I should be performatively happy for you lest you cop an arse with me so here, have a passive-aggressive emoticon’ is a bit … much 🙃

Thumbs up means F off to many. Learned this only a few months ago.

In the states it’s certainly stronger than ‘whatevs’

Big thumbs up is a passive-aggressive sign of disapproval, yes. The good thing is they don't know if you're being bitchy or agreeing with them 😈

Apparently the thumbs up emoji is only used by old people (according to my source). As I am old, I feel perfectly entitled to use it in a non-ironic way, as do all my (equally old) friends.

I think it's a generational divide on the big thumb. I only realised a few months ago it was a passive aggressive negative thing - but me and all my friends use the big thumb non-ironically to send a quick, ok/yes/agree/sounds like a plan. I'm late 40s...

Apparently people of a certain age use this emoji to express distaste - just as you've used it.

Apparently gen z would never use it that way

A middle finger is more likely to get the point across I think

If you aren't that interested in what she is sending, then just scroll past / don't reply.

Thumbs up is a positive response.

A big thumb ( hold the button til it goes pop big) does look a tad sarky but she might just think you really like them if she's a bit dim!

I have used the big thumbs up in exactly the same way as you op when a friend of mine who clearly knew I was going through a bad time in my life was sending me her 'were all so happy and having fun here pics'. I clearly wasn't in the mood for seeing them and they actually made me feel much worse about my situation. I didn't want to say anything to upset my friend but sent the thumbs up as I thought if I sent a proper written response to her pics she'd continue to send more. she didn't get the message though from the thumbs up lol. in the end I ended up blocking her and told I'd lost my phone.

@Notalotofinspiration

I have heard before that thumbs up basically means "fuck off" .. having said that, I use it to mean "awesome (but I don't really have anything else to say)" and it seems that the majority of this thread agrees 🤷‍♀️👍

Doesn't mean fuck off in my world

@wheretoliveplz

My friend does this sometimes. Sends me pics of his lavish holiday and amazing expensive meals and clothes (knowing I can't afford any of that), sends me pics of himself looking very thin saying he feels fat (knowing I am actually clinically fat and depressed about it), send me pictures of his skin glowing saying he's fed up of his skin (knowing I have bad cystic acne that gets me down). It does upset me sometimes, and yes I'll admit in a jealous sort of way, but that's MY problem not his so I always send a nice message back, even if through gritted teeth because he is my friend and just because things aren't going great for me doesn't mean I wish it upon him.

Why don't you tell this c you next Tuesday to do one?

You don't sound a very nice friend OP.

So just don't reply, or send a 😴 or 🙈or 🤣 instead. She may get the hint, or see her arse and block you. Either way, problem solved. 👍

Just mute her for a bit I’m sure she’ll get the hint.

I use the thumbs up when making arrangements to mean "I have seen/noted the details of this and it is all fine". So does every one of my friends and associates. Regarding the pictures, surely you just don't reply at all if you're not interested?

If I received a thumbs up like that I would stop messaging. Otherwise "I'll download when I have wifi" and then never replying works occasionally.

Is this part of a group or just a conversation between the two of you.

Harder to just ignore if it's the latter. I think the thumbs up is about right if you don't care but don't want to be rude.

Thumbs up means fuck off??!?!??!?!

Oh my god, I've got a lot of explaining/grovelling to do...

Why would you use the thumbs up if you don't think it's good? Thumbs up is a positive. If you don't feel positive about your mate's photos don't use it.

Does she know you’re gossiping and moaning about her on a public forum? Some “friend” you are.