Why do we have to 'Like' posts that are sad to aknowledge they've been read?

I can't speak for everyone, but as a reader of posts I don't like things to say I've read them and you're the first person I've ever heard of who feels the need to acknowledge that they've read a post. 

Then as a writer, I don't care if people have read it if they haven't responded. I'm looking for responses to either commiserate, empathise, swear a bit, offer support, or give advice, etc. Whatever it is I'm needing at that point. Someone reading and not responding doesn't interest me at all.

But as I say, that's me. And most folks who know me on site, know I'm a bit odd. Lol

Lass

Xx

I agree. I don't want to ' like' a post on this site quite often  

I want to say I've ' read' or' seen' it 

Tho I also agree with Lass - guess that makes me,a fence sitter lol

Hi Lass 

So you are OK with the  'Like' icon?  So if someone said to your face. " Oh Lass. My partner has just been diagnosed with lung cancer. The Doctor says they only have a few days to live."   You would reply,   "I LIKE what you've just told me." 

Love and Light

Geoff.

Hey Geoff, 

Yup, I'm fine with the like button. 

And no, I'd not tell them to their face I liked what I'd heard. I'd respond to them with my sympathies and ask if I could do anything to help or make the next few days amazing, as well as saying if the worst should happen, I'll be there for them however I can be.

Why? Would you just say "I acknowledge what you've said." then walk off with nothing more?

Lass

Xx

Hi Lass 

I don't think we are communicating on the same level. LOL

I bid you good day Madam. LOL x

Love and Light

Geoff. 

I just used your analogy. 

You say you want to hit a button with an appropriate reaction to show someone you've seen their post. 

I said that's not what I as a poster would find helpful, or as a reader what I'd like to do. 

You gave an example of someone saying something to me, to represent a post, then asked if I would then say to them I like what they've said 

As I had already expressed in my first post, I wouldn't simply react to a post and not respond, as you stated you wanted to be able to do. So using your example, I stated how I'd respond to someone saying/posting that to me and then flipped it back to you. So asked if someone posted/said that to you, would you simply acknowledge that they'd said/posted your example, then walk away without offering them any support.

Because as I said, I don't feel the need to react to every post I read. I don't do it on social media either, which the site is trying hard to not become. I offer help, advice, support, etc where I can and how I can. And a like button is more than enough to be able to do that imo. 

I'm sorry that you found it confusing, but I hope that's clarified it for you. :) 

Lass

Xx

Morning Geoff999

I feel a majority of members within groups like bereaved and incurable etc would never use the like button for messages of sadness or bad news, or to acknowledge they have read it and walked on by without replying in those groups.

However, if the message is offering advice, support, information or reassurence to others - then by all means it is very appropriate in my opinion to show appreciation of someone giving their time to offer something positive to other members.

I hope this is how others (for the most part) view using the like button anyway ?

The best way to acknowledge reading a post is to give a reply - if only a brief one without even using the 'like' button 

G n' J

Thank u Dreamthief

Hi. 

I read many posts on our site but don't always feel I can respond to them all with anything helpful. But its rather a nice idea to be able to acknowledge that persons post with something other than 'Like' Specially when the the message is sad or tragic. The Sue Ryder community site have seen my point and by sheer coincidence are dismissing the 'Like' icon. In its place they giving readers the choice of either a 'Heart' ( Sending Love) or a 'Smiling Emoji' ( I like what you've just written)  So clearly I don't stand alone on this matter. 

Love and Light

Geoff

Hey Geoff, 

Alternatively, you could just post that. "Sorry I don't have any advice/experience/etc, but I'm thinking of you. Best of luck". Obviously tailored to whatever has been said. Alternatively, post with one of the hundreds of emoticons that exist. 

Though if I saw a smiley and a heart I, and many others, would take it to mean I like this or I love this. So I write out a sad post and someone clicks a heart on it, that's going to go down like a lead balloon. 

I'm very much with Dreamthief on the use of the like button. I'll also add that I'd probably be more upset if I've opened up on a site and people can't take more than a second to respond to me. So getting a whole load of reactions and 0 replies would make me feel awful and like the community don't care. Because that's what it would say to me, that people don't care enough to say a few words to help me in whatever situation I'm going through and dealing with.

Lass

Xx