Some writers ask if Japanese smileys are an improvement over Western symbols. Some people think the Japanese smileys are definitely an improvement because they are upright. Others think the Japanese symbols are harder to understand because they see no expression. Miho Ueda, head of the Internet division of a Japanese networking company, explains: "It's the same with Noh masks. They may appear expressionless to beginners, but they can be full of emotion if you understand." ("Happy in the East or Smiling in the West," The New York Times). Some emoticons are clearly specific to the Japanese culture, such as the girl's smile (^.^). Whether the Japanese symbols are an improvement is debatable.

Is there a need for smileys? Supporters would argue that people use Email like conversation, shooting blunt remarks back and forth, without benefit of the ameliorating influence of body language and facial expression. And words have many meanings; misunderstandings and hard feelings result. Thus, smileys are necessary to help receivers understand the tone being conveyed by the words of the sender. Email messages differ from other business communication, some would say, in that electronic messages are not as wellconsidered as letters and memos. Some users "shoot from the hip," so to speak.

Are smileys appropriate for business communication? Certainly not for formal letters, reports, memosand even serious Email messages! But for informal messages, whether Email or hardcopy memos, it's doubtful that anyone would raise eyebrows at an occasional smiley. In fact, some observers think that a little humor in business improves morale and even boosts productivity. Others say that smileys are amateurish and used only by rank beginners.  Here are some web sources for emoticons:

A general source:  http://www.windweaver.com/emoticon.htm

Some other smileys:

Sad, sarcasm        :-[

Feel like crying     :-;

Crying                  :'-(

Kiss                     :-*

Undecided            :-\

My lips are sealed :-#

Brain dead           X-(