This week I have learned to beware of emojis. I was quite a late adopter anyway – it was only recently that I decided it might be fun to liven up my texts with little pictures. Now I’m growing wary and think I might have to be an early exiter. I had no idea that those little doodles could be so fraught with misunderstanding and unintended meanings. We all know about the aubergine and I have to admit that many of the fruit emojis do look quite suggestive, however innocent they might appear in their daily lives.
Some emojis are obviously offensive. However, there are many that appear innocent enough to the uninitiated (i.e., people over the age of 30), but carry all sorts of coded messages to those who know. For instance, I am very fond of the thinking emoji, but apparently it has sexual connotations and maybe isn’t suitable for use in our family WhatsApp chats. It’s likely that no-one realises it, or maybe they do and have been enjoying a secret, knowing laugh.
This all started with an article I was reading about a middle-aged woman who took a course on understanding Gen Z. She was working with lots of younger people and decided it would be beneficial both for her and them if she made an effort to learn a little more about how they think. Among other things, she learned that her use of the ‘thumbs up’ emoji was considered passive aggressive by the younger generation. Who knew? Now, although I have nothing against Gen Z (although I really think they should be calling themselves Gen Zed and not Gen Zee, but I’ll let that slide), it does strike me that anyone who takes offence at a thumbs up just might be a bit too sensitive for this world. Although I’ve probably forgotten how fraught office politics can be.
I don’t want to fall into that moany older person’s trap of criticising the younger generation (they seem an awful lot kinder than we ever were), but I do think that some people might simply be looking to take offence. When I read Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams I was shocked when she complained about her friend’s aggressive use of punctuation in text messages. This friend was putting full stops at the end of her sentences. Aggressive punctuation? I’m at a loss.
I have to reluctantly admit that all this etiquette around texting is a complete mystery to me. I suppose I could take a course on understanding Gen Z, but I’d rather have these little nuggets revealed to me bit by bit so that I can be shocked and surprised on a daily basis. I think it’s probably good for my brain. And don’t use the brain emoji whatever you do. I’ll say no more.
😮🤦🏼♀️
🙂