Hey, could someone please tell me whether or not to use smileys? See, the problem is that I was told that if I don't use them, people think I'm being serious and they take offence. So then I started using lots of them in the hope that it would communicate my message effectively.
Only then, people started backstabbing me, saying that I'm being false, and trying to cover up a comment that *does* actually mean something offensive. So, heh, you appreciate that now I'm a bit confused, and now I simply don't know what to do, how to be. Can somone please give me an idea of roughly how many smileys I should be using, expressed as some sort of ratio - maybe like %ge smileys to no. of comments or something. Thx heaps.
PS I have temporarily stopped using them until I get an answer to my question.
But what's wrong with being a little bit offencive any way? I don't meen in a nasty way. It's just that some times people do post really daft things sometimes (myself included) and they deserve a bit of gentle mocking
How can we realy be sure you've temporarily stopped using them? - perhaps you're post is just a cover for being deliberately offensive.
;o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o)
There are some people who really fail to appreciate irony and dry humour, and some "full time broken hearts" who will just email you privately to bleed at you over something where they haven't appreciated the humour. If it's any consolation to you I've had a share of that.
In a face to face conversation, of course, you can use facial expression and tone of voice to convey meaning which is lost in the written messages on the site. So on balance it is probably worth putting a smiley in places where you would use such body language.
So - chin up mate! I value your contributions to our discussions - the serious and the humourous ones. Don't let people spoil your day just because they're having a bad one. Don't go off worrying about what people say - it's not worth the effort. Michael's right that there are often things which will take no harm for a little ribbing - including his spelling.
Here's a small pack of assorted smiley things you can use when you feel they might help:
;o) ;-p
Anyone who asks "what's wrong with being offensive" gets my vote! I've never tried the one with the round nose before. Maybe it's a friendlier look than the thin-nosed one I've been using. Perhaps that's been the problem - my face isn't friendly-looking enough, so people assume that the implied meaning in my post is harmful and laden with evil. What do you think Dave does my nose look big in this?
That was SO unfunny. Hey everyone, I don't think I'm funny at all. I've just got this illness that makes me blurt out things at inappropriate times. It's very embarrassing and I'm sorry for it. I know it causes some people to be deeply offended.
Hi Andee. That one's the "down under" one isn't it (-: It's a bit too ocker for me! I like your picasso one %-) but I don't know that it's me really. Andee I saw a photo of you the other day, you're an incredibly attractive person! I mean that in a benign, complimentary way of course.
It was really an editing error, rather than a spelling error. I changed the sentence after I typed it first time, and missed the "you're".
Anyway - who the heck do you think you are you to judge my spelling? You're the offensive one around here - EVERYONE says so. I've got loads and loads of work to do and I've just driven for 67 hours, and I'm dead tired and I'm having a really rotten day and I think it's really horrid of you all to be having fun and making jokes that I don't understand, and I think you all do it just to get at me! You all say I'm paranoid! Yes you do, I know you do! You whisper it behind my back! When you think I can't hear you. And you all say such hurtful things. Now I'm really offended! No one ever says benign complimentary things about me and says I'm sweet!
Oh look . . . . I think I must have knocked the Rant-o-Matic key when I was scraping the euro off the keyboard.
Showdaddy, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you, honestly I didn't. I wasn't getting at you, honest I wasn't. Anyway, I'm sure you mean *me* with you're reference to people whispering behind you're back, don't you? Well your the one whispering behind *my* back I just know it. Are you saying my thread's irrelevant to ITM? That's what you mean isn't it, when you say "can someone inject an ITM relevance into this thread please". You must think all of my comments on this site are irrelevant, and when you say "I value you're contributions to the discussions", what you actually mean is that you hate me, but your masking it cleverly by writing something nice so that everyone here won't notice your being horrible to me. Well, whilst your entitled to your opinion, I think this thread's extremely relevant. But I don't suppose you care what I think, etc etc. :O) (fake smiley face deliberately used to soften comments with definite undercurrent of evil)
You guys have waaaaay too much time on your hands. *smirk* Mark, they can't be backstabbing you if they're knifing you in the chest, now can they, unless they've awfully long arms and if you promise to stand still and hold your breath while they do it.
(Will started up the emoticon with the round nose because it reminded him of a past life of red rubber noses. Serious as a heart attack.)
BTW, my vote is "yes, smiley faces." As if you were actually collecting votes.
At work we sell a pack of sticky notes with the message "If you spin around in your chair really fast, this place makes a lot more sense." Sounds familiar...
Hmm, that was the zero, the upper-and lower-case O's look even worse! o O
Maybe:
()
Nah, parentheses are no good either.
Still shoulder length here - I'm torn between wanting to grow it back and really enjoying the fact that I don't have to haul about a foot and a half of hair out from under the fiddle or guitar backpack cases after they're installed!
LOL @ Tish! That prediction came true! I'm told I annoy some people more than Michael Gill. I think I may be up for eviction. Cause for a piss-up tonight I think!
Please will someone communicate the following to Dow (who I'm not talking to)
He says he annoys some people more than Michael Gill.
Would he please clarify.
Does he annoy some people more than he annoys Michael?
OR
Does he annoy some people more than Michael annoys some people?
If he won't make himself clear, it's hardly surprising that people find him so annoying. And a few hypocritical smiley faces aren't going to help at all.
Michael's a natural. His ability to annoy so many people so quickly with just one or two well-timed words astounds me! He should definitely have his own radio show or something. How could Dave and I stand a chance if Michael knocks it for six every time?
Oh whoops I forgot my false, hypocritical smiley face, here it is:
;O)
Of course I know I don't need that because I'm sure you won't think I'm actually calling you a grandma, but some people might think I'm being offensive, maybe also to people who have big eyes.
Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Hey, could someone please tell me whether or not to use smileys? See, the problem is that I was told that if I don't use them, people think I'm being serious and they take offence. So then I started using lots of them in the hope that it would communicate my message effectively.
Only then, people started backstabbing me, saying that I'm being false, and trying to cover up a comment that *does* actually mean something offensive. So, heh, you appreciate that now I'm a bit confused, and now I simply don't know what to do, how to be. Can somone please give me an idea of roughly how many smileys I should be using, expressed as some sort of ratio - maybe like %ge smileys to no. of comments or something. Thx heaps.
PS I have temporarily stopped using them until I get an answer to my question.
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Just be yourself Dow.
:-0 (that's my rubber dolly impression!)
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Cath
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
But what's wrong with being a little bit offencive any way? I don't meen in a nasty way. It's just that some times people do post really daft things sometimes (myself included) and they deserve a bit of gentle mocking
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by llig leahcim
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Does that mean it's open season again Michael?
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Cath
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Dow
;-p
How can we realy be sure you've temporarily stopped using them? - perhaps you're post is just a cover for being deliberately offensive.
;o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o) ;o)
There are some people who really fail to appreciate irony and dry humour, and some "full time broken hearts" who will just email you privately to bleed at you over something where they haven't appreciated the humour. If it's any consolation to you I've had a share of that.
In a face to face conversation, of course, you can use facial expression and tone of voice to convey meaning which is lost in the written messages on the site. So on balance it is probably worth putting a smiley in places where you would use such body language.
So - chin up mate! I value your contributions to our discussions - the serious and the humourous ones. Don't let people spoil your day just because they're having a bad one. Don't go off worrying about what people say - it's not worth the effort. Michael's right that there are often things which will take no harm for a little ribbing - including his spelling.
Here's a small pack of assorted smiley things you can use when you feel they might help:
;o)
Dave
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Anyone who asks "what's wrong with being offensive" gets my vote! I've never tried the one with the round nose before. Maybe it's a friendlier look than the thin-nosed one I've been using. Perhaps that's been the problem - my face isn't friendly-looking enough, so people assume that the implied meaning in my post is harmful and laden with evil. What do you think Dave
does my nose look big in this?
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
BTW Dave, you should've said "your" not "you're". Honestly, and you torque about Michael's spelling :O)
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Aaaargh Dave that pack of smiley faeces you gave me, they're defective, look at my nose now :O(
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Any of those work for you Mark? (-:
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Andee
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Pour acid on it and rub it with a panscrubber.
That was SO unfunny. Hey everyone, I don't think I'm funny at all. I've just got this illness that makes me blurt out things at inappropriate times. It's very embarrassing and I'm sorry for it. I know it causes some people to be deeply offended.
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Hi Andee. That one's the "down under" one isn't it (-: It's a bit too ocker for me! I like your picasso one %-) but I don't know that it's me really. Andee I saw a photo of you the other day, you're an incredibly attractive person! I mean that in a benign, complimentary way of course.
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Oh,how sweet Mark. I appreciate that.
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Andee
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Dow
It was really an editing error, rather than a spelling error. I changed the sentence after I typed it first time, and missed the "you're".
Anyway - who the heck do you think you are you to judge my spelling? You're the offensive one around here - EVERYONE says so. I've got loads and loads of work to do and I've just driven for 67 hours, and I'm dead tired and I'm having a really rotten day and I think it's really horrid of you all to be having fun and making jokes that I don't understand, and I think you all do it just to get at me! You all say I'm paranoid! Yes you do, I know you do! You whisper it behind my back! When you think I can't hear you. And you all say such hurtful things. Now I'm really offended! No one ever says benign complimentary things about me and says I'm sweet!
Oh look . . . . I think I must have knocked the Rant-o-Matic key when I was scraping the euro off the keyboard.
Is it time for my pills now?
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Oh, BTW - can someone inject an ITM relevance into this thread please.
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
I've been experimenting with a new wry grin smiley.. but I'm not sure: what do you think=?
:-`
:-'
:-,
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Q
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
hmmm... looks better in the input box :-|
where's that dern ascii chart gotten to?
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Q
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
don't mind me!
:-¹
%7)
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Q
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Q, was that a wry grin? I thought someone had squashed a fly on my monitor.
:¬)
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
bags I the picasso one!
%7>
%7(
%7l
%71
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Q
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
oh hush - just coz you gots the bestest nose in the biz...
%^)
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Q
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Showdaddy, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you, honestly I didn't. I wasn't getting at you, honest I wasn't. Anyway, I'm sure you mean *me* with you're reference to people whispering behind you're back, don't you? Well your the one whispering behind *my* back I just know it. Are you saying my thread's irrelevant to ITM? That's what you mean isn't it, when you say "can someone inject an ITM relevance into this thread please". You must think all of my comments on this site are irrelevant, and when you say "I value you're contributions to the discussions", what you actually mean is that you hate me, but your masking it cleverly by writing something nice so that everyone here won't notice your being horrible to me. Well, whilst your entitled to your opinion, I think this thread's extremely relevant. But I don't suppose you care what I think, etc etc. :O) (fake smiley face deliberately used to soften comments with definite undercurrent of evil)
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Q, I'm beginning to have designs on the stylised "7" nose. Too cool for school!
:--¬)
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Broken nose
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Please will someone tell Dow I'm not talking to him.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Until he apologises.
And as for Q - you're deliberately making those silly pictures to make people think I'm ugly aren't you! Well - now I'm not talking to you either.
And another thing . . . . . .
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
A Roman nose (Γ:
Hmmmm... ',:o⌠
Perhaps the wry grin Q's looking for? :o⌡
All copyrighted by me.
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Fine, don't talk to me then, see if I care.
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Heehee!
(",)
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by fluter_d
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
You guys have waaaaay too much time on your hands. *smirk* Mark, they can't be backstabbing you if they're knifing you in the chest, now can they, unless they've awfully long arms and if you promise to stand still and hold your breath while they do it.
(Will started up the emoticon with the round nose because it reminded him of a past life of red rubber noses. Serious as a heart attack.)
BTW, my vote is "yes, smiley faces." As if you were actually collecting votes.
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Since I have eyes in the back of my head, I can see that they have long arms :O)
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
At work we sell a pack of sticky notes with the message "If you spin around in your chair really fast, this place makes a lot more sense." Sounds familiar...
Smile, Mark. ;)
Sara
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by sara g
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
( •u• )
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
But Jack, where's your beard?
:o#
(Hmmm... there's got to be a better one than that...)
Sara
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by sara g
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
: ¬} I {{{{{{{{{
# Posted on August 26th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
[ ::: ]]|[[ ::: ] hey look Dow -- a concertina dinxter!
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
About halfway down this thread, I thought I could hear this strange, ghostly echo ... it kept saying, "Dow ... u r making people hate you ... "
I reckon Andee, being a lovely and long-haired (? has it grown back yet?) harpist should have her very own special smiley, like so:
0
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Tish
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Hey Tish! Long time no talk (write). I haven't been around as much lately....
Yeah it's grown back to where people would think I had long hair, not knowing how ultra long it used to be. And yours?
I like the smiley, but almost looks like an overgrown pillbox hat from the 40's.
:+)
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Andee
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Hi Andee!
O
Hmm, that was the zero, the upper-and lower-case O's look even worse! o
Maybe:
()
Nah, parentheses are no good either.
Still shoulder length here - I'm torn between wanting to grow it back and really enjoying the fact that I don't have to haul about a foot and a half of hair out from under the fiddle or guitar backpack cases after they're installed!
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Tish
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
LOL @ Tish! That prediction came true! I'm told I annoy some people more than Michael Gill. I think I may be up for eviction. Cause for a piss-up tonight I think!
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
I have my gag and "Free Th (sic) Refugees" sign ready.
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Dried Frog Pills in room Number 47 please.
Now, my young Padawan, you must let yourself go. Only then, wil you be able to touch the Force..
---Master Obi-Wan
nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.\
-Padraig
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Pádraig
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
It was a portent of things to come, eh Dow?
Heh, heh, how about Andee with a sunburnt nose:
0:+)
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Tish
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Maybe we all just should sit on this topic for a while.
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by rainog
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
I mean until we reach consensus.
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by rainog
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Hey Tish, you're right there. Maybe there's a doll of me somewhere with pins stuck in it!
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Awww, now now Dow.
And how far did She That Said It get, anyway?!! At least *you* haven't been deleted yet!
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Tish
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
I've probably been nominated for eviction though, for using too many smiley faces and being so damn false.
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Hehe, people must think I don't say what I'm thinking. In fact, everyone must think that, especially that Dave who's not speaking to me. LOL
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Please will someone communicate the following to Dow (who I'm not talking to)
He says he annoys some people more than Michael Gill.
Would he please clarify.
Does he annoy some people more than he annoys Michael?
OR
Does he annoy some people more than Michael annoys some people?
If he won't make himself clear, it's hardly surprising that people find him so annoying. And a few hypocritical smiley faces aren't going to help at all.
Oh - and remind him about the apology.
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Sorry :O)
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Dave, no wonder you've had so many e-mails complaining about you - you're so offensive.
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Since Michael Gill seems to be in the running without even posting more than twice at the start, I've got $50 that says he'll win... any takers?
# Posted on August 27th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Michael's a natural. His ability to annoy so many people so quickly with just one or two well-timed words astounds me! He should definitely have his own radio show or something. How could Dave and I stand a chance if Michael knocks it for six every time?
# Posted on August 28th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Jack, that $50? I reckon it'd be better spent if you put it towards a proper concertina that can play in more than one key.
# Posted on August 28th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Michael's still ahead, Dow, he has fish... don't give up.
# Posted on August 28th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
# Posted on August 28th 2004 by llig leahcim
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Wow that's the first time I've seen your face Michael. What big starey eyes you've got grandma.
# Posted on August 28th 2004 by Dr. Dow
Re: Smiley faces or no smiley faces?
Oh whoops I forgot my false, hypocritical smiley face, here it is:
;O)
Of course I know I don't need that because I'm sure you won't think I'm actually calling you a grandma, but some people might think I'm being offensive, maybe also to people who have big eyes.
# Posted on August 28th 2004 by Dr. Dow