See below. I have a genuine doubt here because I use this emoji often with juniors/interns, who are often female. I certainly don't want to be accused of showing toxic masculinity! What should I use in place? Should I use the namaste emoji as a substitute? That doesn't seem right though. Thanks.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnbbrandon/2022/10/16/gen-z-have-canceled-the-thumbs-up-emoji-and-heres-why-we-should-worry/?sh=58f7b7e44744

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-11356215/Emoji-etiquette-expert-says-thumbs-seen-passive-aggressive-Gen-Z.html

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/gen-z-has-already-cancelled-the-thumbs-up-emoji-its-not-a-fan-of-these-9-others-9335321.html

Sigh. Everyday it’s like these kids make up new rules on the playground. Oh I think that emoji makes me feel like you’re being passive aggressive. Oh your use of these big words makes me feel intimidated. Oh when you use small ones I feel condescended too.

Can we stop letting these silly people tell us what to do? You can have your feelings- no body else is required to walk around them. And if you have these many feelings about an emoji- that’s a you problem. Communication is as much about what that person said as it is about you getting out of your own head and listening.

Are they actually 100% serious though? Half the time I feel they're just trolling boomers by making them feel insecure about their place in the world (which every new generation regularly does to their elders, whether it's Rock n Roll or punk or the hippies, or Gen X slackers or whatever).

I mean it’s even worse if they’re not being serious and trolling. Using language that talks about trauma, calling things toxic is a serious thing. If it’s a joke it’s just a bad one that further demonstrates how all of this is not actually about becoming better more sensitive people but really about coopting any trauma narrative that might suit them to their own purposes.

Came across this article on my TL. What I find surprising is that Gen Z considers even ending a text with a full-stop as passive-aggressive. I guess every text has to end with "..." now. But it's tough because we have been taught since school to end sentences with a full-stop and it's ingrained into us.

https://katiecouric.com/lifestyle/emoji-meanings-etiquette/

“People from younger generations are trying to avoid the thumbs-up emoji as they see it as passive-aggressive and a low-effort response.” Having been on the receiving end of many a thumbs-up text, the reason it feels like such a slap in the face is that it’s basically on par with a “K” text. Or, God forbid, ending your text with a period.

Just because language evolves doesn't mean it should turn into this crap. Having problems with fullstops ? Really !? What's next commas or questions marks ???? Stupid flash boating generation. Instead of being vocal about the real issues you guys are diluting your generation to literally a meme generation that cares only about appearances and not actual work done. Cry me a river bitch. 😭

Gen Z is merely following adlerian ideas of non-manipulation.

Adler would have you not even say 'Thank You' because in his worldview that's a manipulative act to encourage someone to keep benefiting in like manner for the sake of the recipient.

Calling a thumbs up emoji as toxic is in the same category for it is seen by Gen Z as a manipulative act by those in power and entrenched positions to keep having Gen Z work as their subjects.

Now it's a mindset issue. Gen Z is raring with destructive energies to take over the previous generation's roles by somehow believing that previous generations were unfit to assume such roles. It's coming from a lack of experience of real world realities and the extremely comfortable and safe environment in which they grew up, where they were encouraged to voice themselves out.

LOL. Funny thread where boomers are clueless about WhatsApp etiquette!

So allow me to educate y’all: certain emojis should not be used because they are seen as ableist or non-inclusive or embodying toxic masculinity and patriarchy. Also because they are used by the RW very often to mock or ridicule marginalised sections. These emojis are 👍👎 😂😅🤣🤮🤡

And for heaven’s sake NEVER EVER use this 👌 emoji because it’s code for White Power and used by Trump supporters. I’m surprised it still hasn’t been banned as an emoji!

You can be forgiven for using some of the above emojis but never 👌. Can literally get you sacked in the US if you use this symbol in an office WhatsApp chat.

1. I study at a left wing uni in England - and when I say "left wing", I mean like really, really "left wing" - the sort where the students (and even some faculty!) appeal for the UK national anthem to not be sung in graduations because it is colonialist and a major fuck you to brown and black people apparently (if you are that sensitive about colonial past, why the hell are you even living in Britain now?). But even they use 👍👎 😂😅🤣🤮. In no immediate friend or acquaintance circle I have belonged to have I seen people using 🤡 or the last one. Personally, I wouldn't use 🤡 because of the number of unpleasant people I have seen (on Twitter/X in particular) using it to spread very unpleasant messages.

2. Can you please tell me more about what you said regarding some of the emojis in question being ableist? Cliched I know, but explain that to me like I am a five year old, because I seriously don't understand and am not asking in bad faith (full disclosure: I have lived experience of a visible disability, so am actually curious about this!).

3. Have you been fired (or do you know someone who has been fired) from a U.S. job because of using the last emoji in a GC? If not, what evidence do you have of the statement that using that can get you fired?

Good point re the clown emoji 🤡. It is now used almost entirely by Republicans and right-wingers to mock liberals. This emoji is also problematic because the clown is quite evil-looking and it might be some sort of homage to the Joker. That’s really offensive because the Joker is a violent, misogynistic character. Whether it’s the Jared Leto version in Suicide Squad or Joaquin Phoenix.