AIBU to think 👍 is rude

[SowhoamI505]

When texting, my pet peeve is use of 👍, is this just me who finds it rude? To explain why I find use of it rude, it’s been used in response to questions and some other situations like sharing a photo.

I really wonder how some people on here manage to exist without spending their whole lives being offended. What will you do it something truly awful happens.

Get a grip people, please.

I’m in my 50s and use it to acknowledge arrangements or similar. ‘Get milk’ does require an essay in response…

but I wouldn’t if someone sent me a photo….but might use an equally vacuous crying emoji.

id heard it’s rude for younger people…heh, I find walking around with my hands down ones trousers rude but the young round here obviously don’t share that view.

This thread has been a real eye opener. I genuinely had no idea the use of an emoji could cause so much offence.

I’ve run it past an impromptu focus group of Millennials/Gen Xs this morning and people were nonplussed.

Either it’s generational or it’s people with far too much time on their hands.

My only objection to this is the dual meaning. It looks a lot like 'agreed', but can just mean 'noted'.

So sometimes needs clarification that it's actually acceptance and agreement, not just 'yes, I see your message!'!

It's a useful way of ending a conversation for the time being - it shows that you have seen the message.

I think it's rude (in personal conversations, I can see it's different in a work context) but that doesn't mean I'm offended by it. Your rudeness is on you.

Oh come on. Fauxrage was invented for people like this

Are you gen Z? Apparently gen Z find it very passive aggressive.

The Facebook messenger blue thumb is known in my circles as the pass agg thumb of death. Best used towards an ex.

(When we were kids and still used fb)

@melj1213 👍

What is with the MN obsession with rudeness? Every other tread seems to be, 'is this rude', 'were they rude', 'someone was rude to me', 'I think this is rude', do people really give this stuff headspace - well obviously as otherwise AIBU would grind to a halt.

In casual conversation a thumbs up is perfectly fine, most people will understand exactly what it means. I'm working in an office and have used it a few times on Teams chat today and have had it back too. I've even shock horror used it in real life. I was on a long call and a lovely work colleagues came up and made a 'T' sign, I responded with a physical thumbs up so she made me a lovely cup of tea. Did I need to stop and say 'thank you very much for offering to make me a cup of tea, that's a very kind gesture. I'm stuck on this call and could really do with a warm beverage to get me through it'. No, a thumbs up does the job and everyone knows what it means.

Not at all. I see it as 'OK' - like I'd smile and nod to show I'd understood/agreed.

It can be very passive aggressive, I love it 👍

So you gestured when you weren't able to talk? You do realise that that is normal? It's not normal to have a speaking conversation and use thumbs up, that's the point....

A: i really enjoyed our date, I'd love to go out again soon xxx

B: 👍

Would you do that in real life? Maybe you would in which case, check mate

I think it's an age thing - I've noticed people in early 30s/late 20s interpret it as rude (inc me) unless I know the person doesn't use it that way. Older or younger generally seem to use it to mean ok

Really?? both me and DD (early 30's) use it after texting to mean "okay/sure" when arranging a day to phone. She works odd hours so will often text to arrange when she is free to ring me or me ring her. Neither of us view it as rude, just confirmation that the day/time is good.

Oh dear I use it all the time

👍

Just today alone I must have used it at least a dozen times to signify that I agree with texts, teams messages, emails, whatsapp messages.

It's not normal to have a speaking conversation and use thumbs up, that's the point....

I think the point is that when you are using the thumbs-up emoji, it isn't a "speaking conversation".

It does come across like a brush off, I agree. I don’t use it for that reason. Keep in mind most people don’t think it’s rude and aren’t using it to be dismissive.

@DontMakeMeShushYou yes exactly, but the reason we wouldn't do that in real life because it comes off disinterested and dismissive, and closes the conversation

Would I say it's rude? No, it's more awkward lol

Yabu

And a little snobby.

👍

I don't like it either. It feels like they can't be arsed to reply

I don't understand why it would be seen as rude. It's just thumbs up, yes I agree.

I tried explaining this to @Spaghettine already but it was too much effort for them to read so probably best to just 👍 and move on