Is sending a 👍 a universal dad thing?

[Genie23]

My father mostly used his phone for calls. Over time, he discovered some useful Google apps… and then... around 5–6 years ago, he started exploring emojis, stickers, and GIFs. At first, he used to send me multiple random emojis — some made sense, some didn’t — but I realised he was just having fun, and honestly, I found it cute.

Now, he sends me this 👍 all the time even when I'm at home. Not just the yellow one, but colourful ones, sticker ones, and even GIFs. Before or after our phone calls, if I send him a message, he often reacts with 👍. If I accomplish something, I make sure to call him right away or talk to him in person, because I cannot let him respond with just a thumbs up. 😳 He's expressive on calls and in person though.

Today, I gave him a ♥️ for a YouTube video he shared with me.

So, he sent me 👍

I sent him 👍 back.

He replied with 👍👍

At this point, I don’t even know what we’re talking about... lol. I was so tempted to reply with 👍👍👍, but I thought maybe this is a competition… so I decided to let him win this time. 🤔

So, is it?

(Stupid system kept trying to move this question to flirting)

Updates

6 mo

encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images

I showed this to my Papa and asked him, "is this how your keyboard looks?" He chuckled.

[ChiTown33]

"Some made sense, some didn't".🤣

I'd have to know your dad to be certain. But I think it's pretty standard for most people. By your own admission you say he's much more engaged when you call him or speak in person. So I read it as an acknowledgment of what you said to him. And if you want more to call him. Parents in general love hearing from their kids. I'm not going as far as to say it's a ploy to get you to call or see him. I'm just saying he probably enjoys that more.

[Genie23]

I swear, he would send something like this 🥸🤓😀😣😆😨😎🫩 Or even more random than these doesn't matter what topic was, lol.

This is soooo sweet. Made me smile. We talk multiple times a day if we can't spend time in person. I make sure I give him an hour everyday even when I'm away. But I'll make sure to give him a call next time he sends me thumbs up. I'll keep bugging him to make he won't miss me. 😂

[ChiTown33]

Hey, your dad and I probably aren't that far apart in age. And my emoji game is far from being on point. A lot of time I'll look up the meaning of emoji to make sure I'm using them right.🤣 So I feel where your dad's coming from.👍

[Genie23]

( I forgot to add home, animals and other emojis) No, no, no! You are wayyyy younger than my Papa. 😆 He's in his early 70s. He had me when he was around 30. My oldest sibling is 8 years older than me. So, you are close to my sister's age 😅

But yeah, your comment made me chuckle. XD

[Genie23]

40. I can't type to save my life. Always make typos 😭

[aaron13547]

Lol i use it a lot also. Not as much as your pops. 👍 is my ok. Im not a dad I think its just a dude thing.

Someone told me that is not a thumbs up, its suppose to be the universal sign for hitchhiking. It will always be a thumbs up in my heart.

[Genie23]

Ah! So, it's a dude thing. Got it, dude 😛👍



I don't consider it as a universal sign for hitchhiking either x)

[aaron13547]

Their argument was that fingers out thumbs up means you need help and fingers in (not seen) means. OK.

I said I don't have one without the fingers in so 👍 (ok, or in his case please make me another emoji)

I like emojis, (almost as much as I like getting an MHO from you😊🙂) emojis are like a word with a little extra emotion behind it. 😉

[Genie23]

I just say that was quite a cute argument you abs your friends had. 😆

Awwww! I agree. That's why I like to emojis a lot. In fact, I use them too much sometimes 😂

[Apulu_backagain]

My dad does that and sends me random silly pics of myself and when he's away for some business trip he also sends me random maths formulas or worksheets (which he gets from random sources) to ensure I'm not lacking behind his back lol

[Genie23]

Your picture is so cute and I want to visit that place!! It's been in my top of the list of places I want to visit. But those random formulas made me laugh 😂 thanks. Needed that!

[Apulu_backagain]

Oh yeah it's the Tata Tea estate of Munnar behind me. Make sure to visit during the right weather because it was raining so badly when we went there.

[Bitter_Sweet94]

Not really.

A 👍 is just a simple, low-effort way to acknowledge something.

Dads tend to use it because it’s quick and gets the point across, but plenty of non dads do the same.

It’s more of a “straight to the point personality” thing than a universal dad trait.

[Genie23]

"low effort" Time to fight with him for not putting efforts, lol

Jokes aside, my father is actually very expressive and talkative. He loves going in depth. He tells stories often, it's just on text.. he becomes a thumbs up man xD

[Bitter_Sweet94]

Haha honestly, some people switch personalities when they text.

In person they’re storytellers, but on the phone they’re all 👍😂

It’s not a lack of effort, it’s just how their brain operates in “text mode.”

They keep it short, simple, and efficient.

If he’s expressive and detailed in real life, that’s the part that actually matters.

The thumbs up habit is just a communication shortcut, not a reflection of how he treats people.

[RandomGirl42]

I didn't even know dads sent texts. 😳 Our dad has never sent any of his 5 daughters a text that I know of. I dont know if he even knows how to text. Unless my sisters are getting them and just not telling me.

[Genie23]

😂 So cuteeeee

[YasinTR]

“My mom does the same thing 😅 I guess that’s the emoji older generations use to express their feelings.

[Genie23]

Awww! 😊

[Xawyx-2]

Universal? Probably not, my dad never uses emojis, he really doesn't know how :P

[Genie23]

This made me chuckle, lol. So cute!

[Xawyx-2]

Haha, cell phones can be very complicated for older people, sometimes he can't find messages, so I have to show him where they are :D

[msg321]

Be open and just ask him "dad, why are you always sending 👍 anymore unlike what you sent in the past?".

[Genie23]

I actually don't mind, bro. Just find it funny and confusing at times. 😅

[msg321]

Are you a daddy's girl? 😊

[Genie23]

I've always been one 🫠

[msg321]

Daddy' girls are cute 😊 I wish a long and happy life for your dad 🙏💞

[Genie23]

Hope you have a baby girl someday. 😇
Thank you, bud 💕

[msg321]

Thanks, sis 😊 I am sure if I have a baby girl one day I'll be a very protective and caring to her.

[Genie23]

Made me smile. You'll be a great father, bro. Have a good day 😊

[msg321]

Thanks, sis. by the way as far as I know you I can easily say that you'll be a great mother one day. Have a good day 😊

[Still-alive]

Oh yeah definitely my dad does it all the time lol

[Genie23]

😂😂😂

[Shiprex]

It's an acknowledgement of information received

[exitseven]

I have been doing the thumbs up thing since I was a kid.

[llorando]

As someone who isn't a dad, I can confirm I have not clue if it's a universal dad thing.

[sage2021]

I use the 👍🏼 emoji a lot.

[Genie23]

I never saw you send only thumbs up. 😅

[sage2021]

@Genie23

That's the 👍🏼 up emoji. Which one is in my opinion? Hahaha 🤣🤣

[Genie23]

I meant, sending only thumbs up as a response, Sage.

[ChicoFromThe305]

I guess for the most part it is universal lol