Emoticons - What do they do - What are they about ?


Effective communication is the key to using e-mail.  You can send plain text without the use of emoticons but the use of emoticons will convey the essential meaning of the message that you wish to pass on to someone else.  This can be of great advantage when sending mail to public lists to ask for help.  For example...

"My mouse doesn't work can someone help"

Puts over a simple message which doesn't really help anyone to answer your question.  If you change it to ..

"My mouse doesn't work can someone help :-| "

Shows that you are in some way unhappy and is therefore more expressive of your mood or intention.  See below for more emoticons.  You may wish to print this page out and put it on the wall in front of you.

Feeling good or smiling or laughing

  :-)      smiling; agreeing
  :-D    laughing
  /\/\/\    laughter
  |-)      ha ha ha
  |-D    ho ho
  :->     hey hey   
  ;-)      I'm crying because I'm so happy
  :'-)     crying with joy
  \~/      my glass is full
  £-)     won the lottery

Feeling mischievous or teasing

  ;-)      winking or just kidding
  '-)       winking or just kidding
  ;->      devilish wink
  :*)      clowning
  :-T      keeping a straight face


Being supportive or agreeing in some way

  :^D     " I like it!"
  8-]       "Wow! or, Amazing!"
  :-o       "Wow!"  
  ^          thumbs up
  :]          Gleep, a friendly midget who wants
              to befriend you.  Great for NASA employees
  (::()::)   offering help or support


Sad or Unhappy

  :-(    frowning
  :(      sad
  :-<    very sad
  :-c    really unhappy
  &-|   tearful
  :'      crying
  :'-(   crying and really sad
  :-|     grim
  :[      really down
  :-[     pouting
  \_/    my glass is empty


Sarcastic or Angry

 >:-<   angry
 :-||      angry
 :-@    screaming
 :-V     shouting
 :-r      sticking tongue out
 >:-<   absolutely wildy mad at someone !!
 :-,      smirk
 :-P     sticking out tongue
 :->     extremely sarcastic
Attempts at communication

 :-&    tongue tied
 :-S     incoherent
 :-\      undecided
 :- I     hmmm...
 :-,      hmmm
 :-#      my lips are sealed
 :-X     my lips are sealed
 :-Y     a quiet aside
 :-"      pursing lips
 :-W    speaking with forked tongue
 :( )      can't stop talking
:-| :-|    deja vu
:/)         not funny
`:-)       raised eyebrow

Feeling stupid or tired


  :~/     mixed up
 %-)    braindead
 <:-I    dunce
 =:-)    hosehead
 :-]      smiling idiot
 :-[      un-smiling idiot
  |-O    yawning
 |-I      asleep
 :-6     exhausted time to go home
|-O     yawn


Being surprised or incredulous or skeptical

 :>     What?
 :@    What?
 :Q     What?
 :-o    surprise or disbelief
 ;-)     sardonic incredulity
 :O     shocked
 8-|    eyes wide with surprise
 :-/     skeptical
 :-C    totally unbelieving


Hugs or kisses

  : *      kisses
  :-X     a big wet kiss!
  :-x      kiss kiss
  :-{}    blowing a kiss
  []        hugs


Others

  :-*      Oops!  Or, oh dear
  :-I       indifferent, not bothered
  \-o      bored mindless
  :-P      tongue hanging out in anticipation
  O :-)   being an angel