Emoji Etiquette

Guest Blogger: Mona Liss ponders the etiquette of emojis.

Emoji Etiquette by Mona Liss:

I’'ve come to realize that texting is now an art form. It's not just the words, but the added illustration - that cutesy or heartfelt emoji - has become integral to the message. And sometimes, just an emoji itself is the most powerful text.

Actually, when I think about it, it's laughable how we 'dress up' our messages with an emoji, and even elaborate with two plus more.
Is it a reciprocated red heart or a smiley, smirky face? ❤️😆....Crazy, it can take so much time to figure out what's appropriate to communicate through a pin size illustration or a cartoon. 🤯

I can recall the time when a text was a quick message. No emojis, just words. But now, it's an art form to convey a multitude of different emotions. 🤔

According to Apple, there are more than 3,600 emojis available on Apple platforms. That's a lot of creative choices to ponder when sending a message. Hearts, happy or sad faces, flowers, funky expressions, silly characters and on and on.

Plus our social media communications are inundated with emojis. According to Facebook stats, over 60 million emojis are sent globally everyday. Seriously, emojis have taken over the world!🤗 🌎 ‼️

Then there's the whole category of emoji etiquette. If someone 'dresses' their text with an emoji, do you reciprocate? Do you run the risk of offending your sender if you don't respond with the same emoji or at least pick one that has equal value?

Do hearts require one back? And if you don't, are you communicating you aren't feeling the love? 😢

And if you do emoji your text, do you review the many to pick the most creative illustration or 'cartoon' to express your Banksy talent. 👩‍🎨 Is it Xmas trees 🎄🎅and Santa faces, and menorahs 🕎 for the holidays, flags for travel or politics, flowers according to season, and etc, etc.

And what about color? What skin tone do I identify with- light beige in the winter, and darker in the summer because I'm tan? Or just pick the default yellow. Then what about  specific colors for specific ethnic groups? Does this tell me more about the sender? 🙏🏽🙏🏻🙏

Then there's the heart colors. Red hearts became an obvious pick for awhile but then a rainbow of heart colors appeared. Soon to be followed by broken hearts, bow tied hearts, pulsating hot pink hearts, sparkly hearts. And heaven help you, if you pick the wrong heart emoji and send the wrong message. Yikes, it's emoji  heart overload! ❤️💔🩵💝💖

What’s the right number of any emoji...Is there a right number? What does your emoji language say about you?

As for impact, do we want it funny, loving, sad, angry, or simply neutral? How do we nail it and make it just right?!

Geez. I could spend a ridiculous amount of time thinking about emoji response variations, let alone pick one that is the most appropriate. I'm getting angst just thinking about it! 🥺

Dear Abby  - if anyone remembers her advice column -where are you when we need you? Or maybe Martha Stewart has the answers.

So here I am, searching Amazon for a book on Emoji Etiquette. I can't find anything that specific. Hmm... Maybe that's my next project, to author a book titled "Emojis for Dummies!"🤯🤹🏼🥳💃😂🌟🤪