Is the thumbs-up emoji friendly or passive-aggressive? Depends on who you ask.

Digital symbols like emojis carry wildly different meanings depending on culture, age, and context, so using them well takes emotional intelligence.

• One Emoji, Many Meanings – Gen Z may read 👍 as sarcastic, while Millennials take it as encouraging.

• Context Is Everything – A thumbs-up on social media feels fine. In a text? It might sting.

• Cultural Sensitivity Matters – In some countries, 👍 is an actual insult.

• EQ > Speed – Before sending a symbol, consider how it will land.

Communicating well means reading the room, even when the room is digital.

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