Smileys :)

Just fascinated and amazed at the use of smileys, so often and so varied.

Some of the situations, i observe they being used, are:
1. First - time conversations where you want to create a comfort level.
2. IM conversations regarding work in office.
3. When you want to get your work done.
4. When you want to say something firmly without sounding strict.
5. When you find yourself smiling in the middle of an online conversation.
6. When you want to say a lot but are at a loss of words, the smiley says it all.
7. When you want to be sarcastically funny.
8. When you want to be polite and ignore the other person's stupid comment.
9. When you realise your folly.
10. When you want to ask for forgiveness.
11. When you want to sound funny (obviously)
And it goes on......

There are so many expressions they convey. i only use and identify the most basic ones,
:( - Sad smiley
:D - Laughing smiley
:O - Surprised smiley
;) - Flirtatious (kind of...) smiley
:p - Teasing smiley
....but there is a whole lot, out there.

They really are a cool usage. Wikipedia credits a few men for inventing it. i think they did a really good job.

Aah...and i just realised that the hyphen in between the colon and the round bracket is for the nose.
:) - without nose
:-) - with nose

Doesn't really change the meaning but i am just too fascinated.
:)