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WhatsApp: "Thumbs up" is a power move

#1 · August 3, 2023, 7:13 pm

Quote from John Freeman on August 3, 2023, 7:13 pm
Hello,
I'm aware the title is a bit provocative.
Here are a few definitions: emojipedia, Collins, Merriam-Webster, dictionary.com, Wikipedia
Since it's a gesture and therefore it's more fuzzy than written language used several sources for cross-reference. It also varies within cultural context but I'll use the ones where it's not an insult).
What many of these references have in common is the meaning of:
Approval
Encouragement
So to me it's a judge power move as in "Good job" judge power move.
I do think in a select cases it's not used like that. However, I found it often used as a power move. That's why I avoid using it as much as possible (along with the ";" and the "LOL" as I learned here).
However, what I noticed is that the people who use it a lot are the typical power players/hungry or sometimes out of clumsiness. It's also low-effort and low-investment. So it's high power.
So I mainly use it with the people I know will use it. The proof is that people know what's up.
Example: today a friend who uses them a lot (along with yes again... "Perfect") cancelled and then rescheduled and then delayed an appointment we were supposed to have. So in the exchange it was not respectful of my time. Difficult to render it here this is how I felt. I won't tell the details, that was basically the dynamics.
So I cancelled our appointment yesterday evening not out of spiteness but because I was tired and he was not worth investing my time and effort anymore as he de-prioritized me twice so I have the right to de-priorize him (or at least I take that right).
Today we say on WA we'll see each other next time (in 3 weeks, he's on holiday). I say: "Enjoy!" which is a bit of a power move (tasking). I only use this with people who are power players with whom I pre-emptively play power moves. I know it sounds lame. I experimented with not playing any power moves on them and I end up one-down all the time. So I play the petty game.
And at first he puts a thumbs up and after a few minutes he changes it to the praying hands. I checked in my messages. Last time he used this praying hands emoji was 3 months ago. Otherwise only hearts (which is good), laughing emojis (good) or thumbs up. So I think he knows it's a power move.

Hello,

I'm aware the title is a bit provocative.

Here are a few definitions: emojipedia, Collins, Merriam-Webster, dictionary.com, Wikipedia

Since it's a gesture and therefore it's more fuzzy than written language used several sources for cross-reference. It also varies within cultural context but I'll use the ones where it's not an insult).

What many of these references have in common is the meaning of:

Approval
Encouragement

So to me it's a judge power move as in "Good job" judge power move.

I do think in a select cases it's not used like that. However, I found it often used as a power move. That's why I avoid using it as much as possible (along with the ";" and the "LOL" as I learned here).

However, what I noticed is that the people who use it a lot are the typical power players/hungry or sometimes out of clumsiness. It's also low-effort and low-investment. So it's high power.

So I mainly use it with the people I know will use it. The proof is that people know what's up.

Example: today a friend who uses them a lot (along with yes again... "Perfect") cancelled and then rescheduled and then delayed an appointment we were supposed to have. So in the exchange it was not respectful of my time. Difficult to render it here this is how I felt. I won't tell the details, that was basically the dynamics.

So I cancelled our appointment yesterday evening not out of spiteness but because I was tired and he was not worth investing my time and effort anymore as he de-prioritized me twice so I have the right to de-priorize him (or at least I take that right).

Today we say on WA we'll see each other next time (in 3 weeks, he's on holiday). I say: "Enjoy!" which is a bit of a power move (tasking). I only use this with people who are power players with whom I pre-emptively play power moves. I know it sounds lame. I experimented with not playing any power moves on them and I end up one-down all the time. So I play the petty game.

And at first he puts a thumbs up and after a few minutes he changes it to the praying hands. I checked in my messages. Last time he used this praying hands emoji was 3 months ago. Otherwise only hearts (which is good), laughing emojis (good) or thumbs up. So I think he knows it's a power move.

Roberto, Power Duck and sillygoose9845 have reacted to this post.

#2 · August 4, 2023, 1:16 pm

I agree John - worse is when they go to the Gifs and give the giant thumb. I've also noticed subordinates power climb in group chats by giving the thumb when some Exec leaves the meeting like they're giving permission. Anyone who does that immediately goes on my 'ugly mugs' list.

John Freeman has reacted to this post.

#3 · August 4, 2023, 5:25 pm

Yeah thumbs-upping in a professional chat a higher up is a no-no. It's better to use the praying hands (rare occasions as it frames one as too submissive) or the smiley (good default workhorse).