Take a look at your WhatsApp messages and you will find that hardly a conversation goes by without the use of emojis. It’s hard to ignore the popularity of emojis – so much so that in 2015 the “crying tears of joy” emoji was named the Oxford Dictionaries’ Word of the Year!
But what exactly are emojis and where did they come from? According to Bossip.com “emojis as we know them today, got their start in Japan. In fact, the word emoji can be translated to ‘image character’ and was officially invented in the 1990s by a man named Shigetaka Kurita”.
It was only until the rise of the iPhone and its emoji keyboard that emojis became mainstream and all other phone manufactures followed the trend by making their phones with a list of standard emojis included. While emojis are super-fun, sometimes they are just not appropriate.
Here’s what to bear in mind if you’re unsure about using an emoji:
Limit the use of emojis if the situation is serious
If the topic of your message is of a serious or sad nature, it’s probably best to leave emojis out of it.
Stick to the basics with acquaintances
It’s not completely out of line to use an emoji or two when talking to someone you don’t know well, but it’s best to keep their use to a minimum.
Work-related communication
When it comes to exchanging messages with your boss or other superiors at work, it’s best to sit back and see what they do first. If they don’t use emojis, consider following their lead and not use emojis either.
Stay on trend with emojis by looking out for our emoji range of clothes and accessories at your nearest store.
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