The Etiquette of Emojis

Express yourself with smiley faces – but be sure to read this first!

Since most of the nation have updated their Nokias and Blackberrys to smartphones, the use of emojis has exploded. More and more often, smartphone users are turning to these smiley faces and icons to communicate rather than rely on the good ole fashioned words.

We can thank the rise of technology and the Millennials for adopting icons into our everyday lives. But before you send that red heart to your boss or the beer emoji to your teacher, let’s lay down the law of the emoji etiquette!

• Wait until after the first date to send a flirty emoji. If you’ve met someone through a dating app, you should establish that you can both speak in real life before communicating solely through smiley faces.
• Avoid sending any to your boss or teacher. These little symbols are light-hearted and fun, but they don’t convey professionalism or adulthood. A relevant emoji (eg. a smiley or a thumbs up) may be thrown in for effect to indicate that you’re a team player, but keep emoji use light.
• Different colored hearts have different meanings. Using the red heart early in a conversation may come off as love-aggressive. The green, blue, and pink are a bit more casual for flirting or friendships, according to polls.
• Be extra cautious of the kissing smiley. Parents seem to love this emoji, but they don’t always get it right. While it may be used in a loving way, adding it three times throughout a message is overload.
• Don’t overuse. Even though you’re excited for your trip to Europe, sending 15 emojis of hiking, traveling, and sun is more irritating that enthusing.
• Avoid emojis at all costs in a serious situation. If your friend texts you to say that her grandma has just passed away, sending an old lady and angel emoji can come off as insensitive. Emojis are great for lightening the mood, but don’t work well in a heavy situation.

From the insurance professionals at Abbate Insurance in New Haven, Connecticut, we hope that you enjoyed reading the etiquette of emojis!

Now that you’re all set to text away without causing discomfort or confusion, pull up your favorites! To get up to date on your insurance policies, visit us today