Ah, emojis. They make flirting over text a fun little game or a complete nightmare. Emojis can escalate so quickly from cute to going way too far. Here are some tips on how to use emojis to your advantage.
- Show personality. Ideally you could do this with your words alone, but sometimes it is really hard to gauge jokes or sarcasm over text. Emojis can turn something that sounds horrible and serious into the funniest thing I’ve ever read. They add tone, lighten the mood, break the ice, and mitigate awkward things you sometimes say. You can even be really clever—which girls love.
- Get on the same page. If the guy or girl you’re texting is a normal human being using normal human being words, don’t respond to them in all emojis. If you’re a guy who sends me 1000 wink faces in a row, I will write you off in a heartbeat. Otherwise it’s like… okay you want me to decipher what you’re trying to say in these 20 emojis? Sorry bro, I don’t read hieroglyphics. Try harder.
- …Do you have to? We’ve all heard the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. Think twice before sending that eggplant, boys. Also ladies, if you send too many, he may think you are a little social media and text crazy. With the creative interpretations that could follow, it’s better to maintain a sense of mystery.
But if you must…
Safe bet (in small quantities and with the right context)
- Crazy face – adds sarcasm, shows you are fun.
- Smirk face – flirty.
- Monkeys – can add emphasis to embarrassing stories or awkward ideas you have for first dates.
- Grimace face – I don’t really understand this one but also good for awkward moments.
- Crying laughing face – validation that your guy or girl is hilarious.
Tread lightly
- Wink face – girls sometimes take this the wrong way. Used poorly this can come off as creepy.
- Alcohol emojis – fine if it looks like you want to wine and dine me, bad if it looks like you just want to get me drunk.
Avoid
- Anything with hearts.
- Also avoid the eggplant, water, the pointing hand with the “ok” hand, and the peach. Unless she started it and is in the mood to go there… don’t do it!