We live in an increasingly complicated world, folks. The latest evidence? It would seem that the smiley emoji is not as cut-and-dry as you’d think.
To elder millennials, it’s simply a nice, somewhat pointless thing to tack on the end of a text message to convey friendliness. To younger generations, the smiley emoji can pack a sarcastic, passive-aggressive punch.
According to a Wall Street Journal report (paywall) the emoji is seen by many as dismissive instead of welcoming.
Luckily for geriatric millennials, The Telegraph posted a handy thread for using emojis in 2021.
There’s bad news if you’re over 30 and believe your habit of sprinkling communications with emoji confetti would somehow make you seem cooler, younger, more in touch...
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 11, 2021
❌You thought you understood the game - but Gen Z have only gone and declared war
Here's the ones to avoid👇
🙂The smiley face
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 11, 2021
The one you thought was untouchable; that could never come to signify a male appendage without you realising.
A smiley face emoji deployed in a text or email can come across as patronising or passive-aggressive to teens and 20-somethings
😂The cry-laughing face
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 11, 2021
How you use it: When something is a tiny bit funny, averagely funny or rolling on the floor laughing funny.
How the kids use it: They don’t, because they’ve decided it’s for boomers, which confusingly now means anyone over 35.
Replacement: ☠️
👍The thumbs up
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 11, 2021
How you use it: To mean great, fine, no probs
How the kids use it: They don’t, it’s for loser millennials and boomers and basically anyone over 30.
A poll of 2,000 young people (16-29) found 1/4 thought the thumbs up was only used by people who are “ancient”
❤️The red love heart
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 11, 2021
How you use it: To show your appreciation for anything cute and adorable.
How the kids use it: Again, they don’t, because it’s for geriatrics.
Replacement: 🔥
😭The loudly crying face
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 11, 2021
How you use it: To signify something is sad or awful
How the kids use it: To express excitement, frustration, anger, laughter and pretty much anything else