A Reddit user sparked a debate by questioning its use in professional settings, particularly among millennials and Gen Z.
Some agreed, finding the thumbs-up passive-aggressive or dismissive.
Others saw it as a simple way to acknowledge a message, similar to "okay" or "understood." One commenter even questioned the user's comfort with "heart" emojis while shying away from the thumbs-up.
They wrote: “I started an ‘adult’ job where we use Microsoft Teams to connect with each other for work.
“Currently, there 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 for to ‘thumbs up’ messages, but I still feel like it’s such an unsettling response. Does anyone else feel this way?”
One person said: Basically everything these days is offensive. Don't get it.
A second wrote: I'm a millennial and it's always been viewed as passive-aggressive lmao.
While a third commented: I think it all depends on what an emoji is used in regards to and it’s also on your perception of it.
Another said: I think people have lost all communication skills. They interpret anything and everything as offensive. It’s sad.
I'm Gen X and can tell you it's not passive-aggressive as a Gen X if we want to tell you to do one & give the bird, we would just do that & not mess about dropping hints. Someone else said.
This discussion highlights the evolving nature of emoji communication. What was once a clear symbol can take on new meanings depending on context and generation.
It's a reminder to be mindful of how your chosen emoji might be interpreted.
