Emoticons: Good or bad ;-)

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CS

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I'm not for or against emoticons - I just think that we as an English-as-first-language populace could do better. Check out these emoticons - awesome! Why don't we try to extend ourselves a little?
http://whatjapanthinks.com/2006/08/14/japans-top-thirty-emoticons/
;p)
.......
But really, probably depends on the context.

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SM

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me: emoticons: good or bad?
SM: Depends
Chatting with friends - sure!
me: NO! if this presidency has taught me anything, it's that EVERYTHING is black and white. No qualifiers, modifiers or aquifiers allowed
SM: In that case, failure to emote via predetermined chat room facial expressions is un-American
me: :D perfect
SM: ;-)

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RR

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Great in limits….esp in a textual medium like we live in...

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DC

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D: Answer: Emoticons: Good. They represent emotion in situations where it is usually lacking or confusing.
Example:
Where are you going? A dick meeting? - One would think this is an insult
Where are you going? A dick meeting? : ) - One knows this is a joke.
me: Where are you going? A dick meeting? ; ) - someones hitting on you.