Gen Zers have called out the popular thumbs-up emoji for being “rude” and “hostile,” going so far as to say that they feel attacked whenever they see it used in the workplace, but other emojis can be used to help you come across as “more likable.”
A recent study conducted by Adobe surveyed 5,000 emoji users from the United States and found when, why and how Americans are using emojis, including the ones to help you become “Miss or Mr. Congeniality.”
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The emoji blowing a heart kiss, the blushing smiley circled by hearts and the heart-eyed emoji were rated as the top three emoticons that “make you more likable.”
Kamile DemirComputer scientist at Adobe
“For younger people, the thumbs-up emoji is used to be really passive-aggressive.”
Using the right emoji — especially in the workplace — positively impacts likability (69%) and credibility (59%).
When emojis are used incorrectly it could lead to some uncomfortable situations, like when your babysitter takes your kissy emoji the wrong way. Sometimes just a simple smiley will do.
Paul D. Hunt, Typeface designer and font developer at Adobe
“One of my favorite things about emoji is their ever-changing nature. Meaning only arises in the context of communication with others, and emoji can mean whatever you want them to mean.”
About 50% of Americans use emojis differently from their intended meanings, which often vary by generation and with pop culture trends.
The most misunderstood emoji at the moment is the smiley wearing a cowboy hat. According to Emojipedia, it “may convey a sense of exuberance, whimsy, confidence, adventure or other sentiments,” but other websites list a variety of other meanings.
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Dictionary.com lists the emoji’s meaning as meant “for all things country, from ranch life and country music to cowboy boots and Texas football… Texas forever y’all—we have the face with cowboy hat emoji.”
After the cowboy, the most misunderstood are the cherries and upside-down smiley faces, which is “commonly used to convey irony, sarcasm, joking, or a sense of goofiness or silliness,” according to Emojipedia.
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