Emojis as a Form of Response

[Medusa]

I’ve been using a lot of hugs and hearts lately… and then wondering if I’m using too many hearts and hugs. Which has led me to thinking about how, in a forum setting, emojis can be a surprisingly powerful communication tool.

For example, putting a laughing face on a post with sad or tragic news. Or, putting a laughing face on a post to express contempt.

We had a member here for a short time, recently, who created an entire persona using only emojis. (I’m not saying it was a likeable persona.)

Expanding, the WOW emoji we use (which I think is the only one available in the emoji world) seems to express a sort of, “unhappy surprise,” where sometimes what I want to convey is a more nonjudgemental, general, sense of surprise.

Of course, I know I can simply reply to a given post and write out my emotional response and I do that sometimes, but often, it simply isn’t warranted.

Or this, does anyone else, on reading through a thread and subsequently putting up multiple, “likes,” begin to feel like, having liked so many, if they don’t then like all the posts, they are now inadvertently making a statement about the posts they didn’t, “like?”

I notice emojis, the ones others use, and I pay close (possibly too close) attention to my own.

It’s possible I’m getting way too deep, within my own head, into the emoji thing.

But I feel like a lot can be conveyed, intentionally or not, with these little faces.

 

[Pepper]

I don't see WOW as unhappy surprise. Just a surprise, no judgement.

 

[Medusa]

I don't see WOW as unhappy surprise. Just a surprise, no judgement.

Maybe it's me, my perception of that expression.

 

[CaliS]

Or this, does anyone else, on reading through a thread and subsequently putting up multiple, “likes,” begin to feel like, having liked so many, if they don’t then like all the posts, they are now inadvertently making a statement about the posts they didn’t, “like?”

This has crossed my mind, but it is not my intention - so I like to think people understand.

There are simply too many posts to SEE them all and react.

As I get older, I don't worry as much about things like this as I used to, but I totally get where you are coming from!

 

[Aunt Bea]

We all misjudge a situation every now and then, I would encourage you to do what feels right and not overthink it.

 

[Medusa]

This has crossed my mind, but it is not my intention - so I like to think people understand.

There are simply too many posts to SEE them all and react.

As I get older, I don't worry as much about things like this as I used to, but I totally get where you are coming from!

Honestly, it's just good to know it's crossed the mind of someone else and I'm not completely overthinking.

 

[Medusa]

We all misjudge a situation every now and then, I would encourage you to do what feels right and not overthink it.

OMG, I was just finishing the above post as this came in!

EDITED to add: I do think you're right though that I might be simply worrying overmuch about this.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

I think I understand your feelings on this.

I'm often uncertain which reaction to use. A heart for something that really touches me, a hug for a post where someone seems to be struggling with an issue. But then, I don't want that person to think I'm flirting or actually suggesting anything inappropriate.

"Cool" is a hard one. It may seem like I'm brushing them off, but I'm not. Still, sometimes use it if it seems they've posted something a little outside my thought bucket. There may be other reasons.

If someone agrees with me, and quotes me, letting me know that they agreed, I appreciate them taking the time to do that - yet, I'm not always comfortable giving that post a "like" because it looks like the only reason I did it is because they agreed with me.

Someone said don't overthink it, but I tend to overthink everything, including this wandering post.

 

[hearlady]

I’ve been using a lot of hugs and hearts lately… and then wondering if I’m using too many hearts and hugs. Which has led me to thinking about how, in a forum setting, emojis can be a surprisingly powerful communication tool.

For example, putting a laughing face on a post with sad or tragic news. Or, putting a laughing face on a post to express contempt.

We had a member here for a short time, recently, who created an entire persona using only emojis. (I’m not saying it was a likeable persona.)

Expanding, the WOW emoji we use (which I think is the only one available in the emoji world) seems to express a sort of, “unhappy surprise,” where sometimes what I want to convey is a more nonjudgemental, general, sense of surprise.

Of course, I know I can simply reply to a given post and write out my emotional response and I do that sometimes, but often, it simply isn’t warranted.

Or this, does anyone else, on reading through a thread and subsequently putting up multiple, “likes,” begin to feel like, having liked so many, if they don’t then like all the posts, they are now inadvertently making a statement about the posts they didn’t, “like?”

I notice emojis, the ones others use, and I pay close (possibly too close) attention to my own.

It’s possible I’m getting way too deep, within my own head, into the emoji thing.

But I feel like a lot can be conveyed, intentionally or not, with these little faces.

Haha "I better like all of them on this page or those two people will think I don't like them."
Oh, my neurotic self understands completely!

 

[Medusa]

I think I understand your feelings on this.

I'm often uncertain which reaction to use. A heart for something that really touches me, a hug for a post where someone seems to be struggling with an issue. But then, I don't want that person to think I'm flirting or actually suggesting anything inappropriate.

"Cool" is a hard one. It may seem like I'm brushing them off, but I'm not. Still, sometimes use it if it seems they've posted something a little outside my thought bucket. There may be other reasons.

If someone agrees with me, and quotes me, letting me know that they agreed, I appreciate them taking the time to do that - yet, I'm not always comfortable giving that post a "like" because it looks like the only reason I did it is because they agreed with me.

Someone said don't overthink it, but I tend to overthink everything, including this wandering post.

Or sometimes when someone quotes you and responds with something, which you agree with, in part... what to do? LOL

 

[CallMeKate]

Or this, does anyone else, on reading through a thread and subsequently putting up multiple, “likes,” begin to feel like, having liked so many, if they don’t then like all the posts, they are now inadvertently making a statement about the posts they didn’t, “like?”

Guilty. I think I'd do just fine without any of the reaction emojis... like when I see good morning, humor, or coffee posts. I like them. But the "hug" or "love" is given sometimes, but it doesn't mean I liked one more than another... my choices are just on a whim generally.

Anyhow, yeah, I've been there. I also feel guilty if I don't react to every post in my favorite threads... I know it's silly but it's there.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

Or sometimes when someone quotes you and responds with something, which you agree with, in part... what to do? LOL

YES. I read the post, it sounds great, then they blow it with a horrible last line. I move on.

 

[CallMeKate]

By the way, the "wow" reaction to me sometimes means "wow, awesome!" And sometimes "wow, that's hard to believe"... and sometimes even "wow, I can't believe he/she did that!" I have never thought of it negatively like "unhappy surprise" although I suspect some people use it that way.

 

[Medusa]

Guilty. I think I'd do just fine without any of the reaction emojis... like when I see good morning, humor, or coffee posts. I like them. But the "hug" or "love" is given sometimes, but it doesn't mean I liked one more than another... my choices are just on a whim generally.

Anyhow, yeah, I've been there. I also feel guilty if I don't react to every post in my favorite threads... I know it's silly but it's there.

View attachment 432679

Right there with you! Case in point, "...Am I using too many hugs lately? It that sappy? Maybe I'm overusing them, and they'll then start to lose their potency...." sheesh.

 

[Medusa]

By the way, the "wow" reaction to me sometimes means "wow, awesome!" And sometimes "wow, that's hard to believe"... and sometimes even "wow, I can't believe he/she did that!" I have never thought of it negatively like "unhappy surprise" although I suspect some people use it that way.

Actually, that's good to know. You and @Pepper have said similar which makes me think a lot of people feel that way, which in turn, makes me feel a little more comfortable with that emoji.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

This is something else that has happened to me - rarely, but it has. I'm going through a thread, I see something I like, it sounds so right, I hit the like button, then further down, I get to a post from someone else which proves the post I liked was WRONG (I researched it). So then I have mud on my face.

 

[CallMeKate]

Actually, that's good to know. You and @Pepper have said similar which makes me think a lot of people feel that way, which in turn, makes me feel a little more comfortable with that emoji.

I think it's important to remember that the "wow" is mostly for the content of the post and not the poster. Like it's not saying anything about us as posters, just what was said. I know that when I first joined here, it bothered me because I thought the emoji meant "are you really that naive/unthinking/clueless." But I got over that.

That's for you to remember, too, Mack. @MACKTEXAS . A hug or love reaction is for the content of the post, not a message to the person who posted it. Actually if that happens and you're approached by someone who misunderstood, it's their problem, certainly not yours. And inappropriate contacts need to be reported... we should never feel uncomfortable here.

 

[Medusa]

This is something else that has happened to me - rarely, but it has. I'm going through a thread, I see something I like, it sounds so right, I hit the like button, then further down, I get to a post from someone else which proves the post I liked was WRONG (I researched it). So then I have mud on my face.

Understandable how that can happen! I think you can remove your, "likes" should you feel it warranted.

 

[Medusa]

I think it's important to remember that the "wow" is mostly for the content of the post and not the poster. Like it's not saying anything about us as posters, just what was said. I know that when I first joined here, it bothered me because I thought the emoji meant "are you really that naive/unthinking/clueless." But I got over that.

That's for you to remember, too, Mack. @MACKTEXAS . A hug or love reaction is for the content of the post, not a message to the person who posted it. Actually if that happens and you're approached by someone who misunderstood, it's their problem, certainly not yours. And inappropriate contacts need to be reported... we should never feel uncomfortable here.

So true! Well said, @CallMeKate. Like how I put a heart on your post above because I love what you said. I'm not flirting.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

Understandable how that can happen! I think you can remove your, "likes" should you feel it warranted.

Yes, I didn't know they could be removed until about 2 weeks ago. It's just a matter of going back and hitting the like button again, and that removes it.

 

[Coco]

now that I'm able to read the posts making the letters bigger and bolder who needs all those goofy faces and cartoony thingamabobs? here ya go! Oh, forgot about grayscale. It's all good + Lol.

 

[OldFeller]

I think I understand your feelings on this.

I'm often uncertain which reaction to use. A heart for something that really touches me, a hug for a post where someone seems to be struggling with an issue. But then, I don't want that person to think I'm flirting or actually suggesting anything inappropriate.

"Cool" is a hard one. It may seem like I'm brushing them off, but I'm not. Still, sometimes use it if it seems they've posted something a little outside my thought bucket. There may be other reasons.

If someone agrees with me, and quotes me, letting me know that they agreed, I appreciate them taking the time to do that - yet, I'm not always comfortable giving that post a "like" because it looks like the only reason I did it is because they agreed with me.

Someone said don't overthink it, but I tend to overthink everything, including this wandering post.

so many times I open the row of possible emojis thinking that "Like" isn't accurate. Then I realize the other options don't say it better and I end up clicking "Like" anyway.
They just don't make emojis for the kind of complex emotional reactions I have.

 

[Medusa]

now that I'm able to read the posts making the letters bigger and bolder who needs all those goofy faces and cartoony thingamabobs? here ya go! Oh, forgot about grayscale. It's all good + Lol.

A lot of people, actually. The majority of us use them.

 

[Medusa]

so many times I open the row of possible emojis thinking that "Like" isn't accurate. Then I realize the other options don't say it better and I end up clicking "Like" anyway.
They just don't make emojis for the kind of complex emotional reactions I have.

If you could add another emoji to the list, which would you find most useful?

EDIT: Freaking typo.

 

[JBR]

I’ve been using a lot of hugs and hearts lately… and then wondering if I’m using too many hearts and hugs. Which has led me to thinking about how, in a forum setting, emojis can be a surprisingly powerful communication tool.

For example, putting a laughing face on a post with sad or tragic news. Or, putting a laughing face on a post to express contempt.

Personally, I don't think using a laughing emoji as a response to a "sad" event in the past, would necessarily mean contempt on the part of the responder. I suppose it could, but I wouldn't use it that way. For example, it might simply mean we're responding to what the person was describing as some long-ago sad or frustrating experience of a type most of us have also had. I'm not referring to something truly tragic.

Some people have responded to me in this way, and I've understood.

And so we're simply seeing it as an aspect of life, one of those hitches or hiccups we tend to have in life. Growing pains. A rose garden involves a thorn or two.