Polly Hudson, a freelance writer, questions whether she is the last person to keep WhatsApp blue ticks enabled. In the early days of the messaging app, having blue ticks on was a mark of trustworthiness, while turning them off was seen as suspicious behavior, akin to messaging a serial killer. However, Hudson observes a shift in social norms: now, leaving blue ticks on conveys a desperate, attention-seeking 'pick me' energy, while those who disable them appear mysterious and cool.
The changing perception of blue ticks
Hudson recalls that initially, no blue ticks were a red flag, suggesting a slippery individual not to be trusted. People who left them on were considered honest, noble, and open. But recently, the tide has turned. Most users now switch off blue ticks, leaving others guessing whether messages have been read. Hudson admits to feeling like a desperate blue-tick loser, over-keen and needy for voluntarily indicating she has read a message, while others are too cool to care.
The downside of blue-tick purgatory
Turning off blue ticks eliminates the worst aspect of WhatsApp: being left on read, where the recipient has seen a message but not replied. This creates a state of blue-tick purgatory, leading to paranoia and anxiety. Hudson notes that even if the recipient is simply busy or unavailable, the sender's mind plays tricks, convincing them of personal dislike. As more messages pile up, the original message slips down the inbox, exacerbating the feeling of being ignored.
Hudson concludes with a plot twist: perhaps those who turned off their ticks were the good guys all along, sparing others the agony of waiting for a reply. She invites readers to share their opinions on the issue via email for potential publication in the letters section.
