sitting here with a big grin and a bright green face
You’re absolutely right … smilies are more suited to those fora (?) I tend to post in most, and I’ve never even glanced at Great Debates (far too intimidating red-faced with embarrassment).
It occurs to me that those of us who feel more comfortable with smilies may be the same people who are very animated whilst speaking IRL. I know I wave my arms around like a windmill and I do, in fact, wink a lot! turning a beautiful shade of daffodil and lowering one eyelid
is three less strokes than :lol:, and one less than LOL.