Smiley's The Japanese Way


     According to Monday's NY Times, Japanese Internet users have come up with their own set of symbols to communicate emotions on-line. Unlike those used in the US and Europe, the Asian emoticons do not require one to tilt one's head sideways to decode them (e.g., the standard 'smiley' ':-)')

(^_^)    Male smiley

(^o^;>)    Excuse me ( '>' is arm scratching back of head (???))

(^.^)    Female smiley (women not to show teeth)

(^^;)    Cold sweat (???) (2nd most popular in Japan (???) )

(^o^)    Happy

(*^_^*)    Exciting

(-_-;)    A variation on the classic "sweat"

\(^_^)/    Male banzai smiley ('\' and '/' are raised arms)

\(^.^)/    Female banzai smiley

(T-T)    Crying

(^-^)/~    Smiling and waving handkerchief

(~-~)/    Little Drunk Chinese Dude needing a hand to hold!