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We all know how to SHOUT IN AN EMAIL!!! – though most of us have learned that it is unwise to do so. But there’s no obvious way to convey sarcasm or sincerity without resorting to emoticons, those little sideways smiley and winking faces meant to clarify the intent and tone of an email.
Emoticons used to be discouraged as unprofessional, and they continue to make many people cringe. But if all it takes is two keystrokes to avoid a misunderstanding, is it any wonder that emoticons are gaining acceptance in business correspondence?
“Look at technology and what technology supports. Earlier versions of Microsoft Outlook did not convert colons and parenthesis to faces. The fact that it does reflects people’s use and general acceptance of emoticons,” says Eric Kramer, president, Innovative Career Services, Norristown, Pa.
Emoticons don’t just assign a tone to words on a page; they also add a human touch. “When we rely on emails as a major source of communication in the workplace, we run the risk of losing that emotional connection to people,” says Melissa Evans, president and CEO, The Broshe Group, Atlanta. “Emoticons can add that, but just be aware of their use and their place, and limit their use as much as possible.”
Are you an emoticon fan? Keep these tips in mind.
- Context matters. “When the correspondence is between people who do not know one another very well, then I’d recommend using emoticons only when you think your message could be misinterpreted. In that case, I’d re-read the sentence in question to see if it can be clarified so there’s no need for an emoticon,” says David Erickson, a director at Tunheim Partners, a public relations firm based in Minneapolis.
- Generally, “Limit your emoticons to only the positive ones and those that require only two buttons,” such as a colon and parenthesis to denote eyes and mouth, Evans advises.
- Stay away from giggly faces and any emoticon that signifies an emotion you’d try to conceal in a staff meeting: boredom, disgust, skepticism and shock.
And for heaven’s sake… NO TONGUES!
