There IS a limit to the number of claps one can give in a month. Maybe it's all they had in them? Maybe you should ask them if they MEANT for it to be an insult? (Yes, emotionally - because people tend to be OVERLY generous with the clap on Medium - the single clap feels almost dismissive. BUT - is a so-so Haiku worth more? Is a well-written rant worth more, if it's a common complaint? Two, maybe. I don't know.)

Here's my rating system:

https://medium.com/illumination/i-finally-got-the-clap-on-medium-22c8661e95da