I don't use emoticons

[Lex]

I never use emoticons, nor do I pay any attention to them when they are used by others. I guess this is because I learned reading and writing many years ago before the advent of the emoticon. I had to learn to express myself in writing just with words. I remember when handwritten letters were not uncommon. Similarly, I had to try to learn to grasp the meaning and nuances of others' writings without the clues that emoticons provide. I still haven't seen any emoticons used in any of the newspapers or books that I read, so I haven't been forced to adapt to using them. I often resist change until it's forced upon me or I'm simply worn down by it. I think I'm usually able to grasp subtleties in good writing and believe that I have some skill in written communication. Perhaps in the generations to come there will be less importance attached to reading and writing ability and more emphasis on designing increasingly sophisticated emoticons.

I do see that some posters use emoticons liberally and sometimes rely on them. I once misinterpreted the intended tone of a post and the poster indignantly pointed out that he had used an emoticon which should have identified the intended tone even if the writing had not. It may be a disadvantage but I still continue to try to discern the meanings and tones of the written word simply be reading the words.

If I find that I'm no longer to make myself understood, I may begin to utilize emoticons, but first I'd probably try some sort of label or editing note like "Irony" or "Sarcastic humor" . Or maybe I'll get to work on emoticons for some of the more subtle or complex stuff.

I also want to mention that my posts often do not have a "point." I've sometimes posted and had someone reply "And your point is?" or perhaps "I don't see what your point is" or "What's your point?". And Anthony hasn't decided to require that posts have "points." Mine often really don't.

What is the point of this post? It has none. It's just some stuff I started thinking about that I thought a few other people might find interesting in some way or other. Mostly I'm just sharing a few thoughts, often not very well developed ones. I don't participate in formal debate here or have interest in winning arguments. This is the off-topic forum of an obscure little internet travel forum, nothing more. I've even kind of stopped responding directly to other posters. I come around here a whole lot less than I once did. I kind of miss what it once was, but not what it now is.

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

Men should not use emoticons...period.

[bevm]

Pete, real men use emoticons....
I actually like the emoticon...People can't see your facial expressions so what's wrong with a little wink or a smile.. ??

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

It's like girls whose names end in "i" who put a heart on the "i" instead of a dot.

[Tracy in WI]

It's like girls whose names end in "i" who put a heart on the "i" instead of a dot.

I always wished my name was spelled with an "i" just so I could do that.......

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

I rest my case (that's what we lawyers say)...you're a female. Guys never would do that...or use emoticons.

[augie]

[mbw1024]

[jayseadee]

So what's your point

[Wakey]

How to be a real man, by Mr. Marcia.

[DELETED]

DELETED

[XOXO]

And now Lex I have to ask, respectfully and possibly sarcastically, have you been drinking? Indulging in medicinal marijuana? Illegal marijuana??

Peace out Lex!

Gina

no emotions!

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

Wakey, I don't know if you are male or female. If you are a guy, all I can say is serious fail. (smiley face with a wink followed by another with its tongue sticking out followed by another with a wink to let you know that I wasn't trying to be mean by using the one with its tongue sticking out.)

[cptnkirk]

Well I love the damn things My writing abilitys sucks Should have payed more attention in school I can't even spell very good but I post a pretty good pic I can't understand what ya have against these little marvels of technology But hey to each his own If I am a girly man so be it This was all in good fun

[sherban]

Pete- I've heard your hardline on emoticons before and it tickles me pink

I feel happy as a three dollar bill right now

Chicks dig emoticons