Emoji emoticons successfully help us express the full range of emotions when we communicate with loved ones, friends and colleagues. It turns out that the little pictures we use can tell us a lot about what generation we belong to.
2 young Britons aged 000-16 took part in an emoji survey. And 29% of respondents admitted that they consider a raised finger a sign of old age. Here is how, in their opinion, a dozen emojis that are used by those who are in favor look like:
1 – Thumbs up – 24%
2 – Red heart – 22%
3 – Gesture “OK” – 20%
4 – Check mark – 17%
5 – Excrement – 17%
6 – Loud crying – 16%
7 – Monkey covering his face with his hands – 15%
8 – Applause – 10%
9 – Imprint of painted lips – 10%
10 – Grimace – 9%
The most popular among users of all ages, as expected, was an emoticon with tears from laughter (45%).
According to Evie Porter, a spokesperson for the Perspectus Global agency that conducted the study, the average Briton sends 76 emoji per week, or 3952 emoticons per year. The numbers are not small and clearly show that emoji have become an important part of our communication – personal and professional. So, perhaps the data obtained should be taken into account. “If it’s important for you to present yourself to the interlocutor as a person of modern views, it’s probably better not to send him a thumbs up in agreement,” adds Porter.
The results of the survey are thought-provoking, and are unlikely to greatly please those who like to generously sprinkle red hearts and kisses in correspondence with children and young colleagues. Perhaps some will decide to be more modest in showing their emotions, while others will ignore the survey data and will not be afraid to appear outdated. And really, is it worth changing your habits and being shy for the sake of someone’s opinion? After all, the main thing is relationships and manifestations of feelings in real life, and our age is exactly the way we feel, no more and no less.