I am always very confused when I see a notification on Instagram telling me that someone has "liked" my photo from weeks and weeks ago. The thoughts that enter my mind vary depending on the picture and the person whom did the liking.
1. "Was it an accident?"
Did this person actually mean to like my picture from 78 weeks ago or did their finger just happen to slip and double tap? First, I take into account the person who did this social media no-no to begin with. If it was a 12-year-old boy with a profile picture of him flipping off the camera, presenting himself in saggy pants, and a bio that includes the name of his middle school girlfriend, the exact day they started dating, and some included hobbies that he enjoys, then I ask no further questions.
The next option would either be someone wildly creepy and a complete stranger or possibly your ex boyfriend's new girlfriend. She wanted to see what she was up against, and broke one of the commandments of Instagram that states, "Thou shall not like a post of another from 78 weeks ago" (or something like that), and now, I totally know I'm the more confident one. People continuously joke about how they were scrolling through someone's assortment of pictures in which they unintentionally liked something, then proceeded to unlike it to save themselves the embarrassment.
2. I receive a notification that you liked my post.
This gets a little awkward when someone likes a picture from 109 weeks ago and then journeys on to unlike it. I will still get the notification that you liked it, and when I check it, it will then disappear. I know that you were lurking through my page (like most of us are guilty of) and are too embarrassed to make that known. You might as well just leave the like, own it, and leave me guessing (maybe creeped out) about your intentions.
3. Is this a flirting tactic?
We have all had that one person try to get your attention on social media by liking every single picture you have ever posted all at once. If you haven't had this happen to you, then maybe you've tried it yourself? I'm unsure. What do these people expect to happen after this? One or two pictures, okay I get it, you think I'm great, but all 190 posts of mine? The chances of me messaging you or liking all your pictures back are slim, but even so, what would happen after that? It's a romantic "Well, after your grandpa liked all 281 pictures of mine on Instagram, I just knew he was the one! (heart emoji)" story to explain how our love began. Blowing up my phone is not the way to my heart, Insta-Romeo.
4. Thank you.
I have received your like of a picture I posted 78 weeks ago as a compliment from you, stating that you were entertained enough to stalk me down that far; or you have other motives that I will never dedicate enough time to figure out. Either way, your message has been received.
Insta on friends, but beware of your tapping.
