Emoji Out! The 😬 Nervous Emoji And Other Emojis 💋 To Avoid While Working At Home 🏠
As COVID-19 spreads across the world, more and more people are working from home. Considering this global shift, it’s important to make sure zero miscommunication is involved when working with a virtual team. When people misunderstand your intentions or actions, it can be very embarrassing. Sometimes it is so shameful you might sometimes feel you’re turning into a human version of the 😬 Nervous emoji or, as it is sometimes called, the 😬 Grimacing Face emoji.
Working Remotely
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We don’t want that to happen to you, and we want to help. In this article, we’ll be sharing our top tips to communicate effectively while working remotely. Included in our list is a group of emojis to never use at work — but are okay to use in other situations. At the top of the list is the Nervous emoji, and later we will tell you why.
Everyone interacts with emojis on a day-to-day basis, at work, at home, at school, and that is why it is important to learn to use them in the best way.
This will serve as Part 2 to the article we published in February, on the The 👌 Ok Emoji And Other Emojis To Use At Work 💻. In order to fully understand a topic, it’s important to see both sides, the positive and the negative, the yin and the yang, so consider this the “yang.”
On that note, let’s get cracking!
Nervous Emoji
The 😬 Nervous emoji, or 😬 Grimacing Face emoji, is an image of a face with its mouth open and stretched out to reveal clenched teeth. It is used to represent nervousness, embarrassment, tenseness or awkwardness.
The 😬 Nervous emoji conveys feelings of sadness, disappointment, anxiety, and fear. You might think, well, that isn’t so bad? However, it is also used by someone who knows they’ve made a mistake. If you don’t want to give your boss a terrible impression, don’t use the 😬 Nervous emoji. Trust us, you’ll thank us later.
How to use the 😬 Grimacing Face emoji:
You can’t use the 😬 Nervous emoji at work, but you can use this emoji on your personal social media accounts to make your posts and messages more personal:
I don’t want to be a part of our yearly horror movie marathon. The last time we watched “The Conjuring” and “Friday The Thirteenth,” I couldn’t sleep 😬
I am afraid to tell my sister I broke the screen of her phone 😬 I know she will be super mad at me, even if it was an accident.
Smirking Face Emoji
The 😏 Smirking Face emoji is a face with a half-smile raised in a smirk, with raised eyebrows and eyes looking to the side. It carries with it a stronger, bolder emotion than the 😬 Nervous emoji.
People use the 😏 Smirking Face emoji when they want to be smug or show they’re being sly. For example, if someone says you can’t do something, and you prove them wrong, and you’re feeling proud of what you did, the best way to convey that feeling is by posting the 😏 Smirking Face emoji.
You’re probably thinking, what’s so bad about that? If you’re competing with a coworker and you beat them, and you want to joke around a bit, what’s wrong with that? Truthfully, a little friendly competition is a good thing. It pushes us to do our best at work, and to solve problems creatively.
But here’s the clincher — 😏 Smirking Face emoji is a very playful emoji, associated with being mischievous in a flirty way. Quite far from the 😬 Nervous emoji! So unless your workplace approves of office romance, stay away from this symbol when you’re on the job!
How to use the 😏 Smirking Face emoji:
Avoid this emoji at work, but if you’ve got a crush outside of work, the symbol is a nice, sort of subtle way to tell them you fancy them:
Hey, I like what we did last night, want to continue later after dinner? I miss your cuddles and kisses 😏
Or to tell off someone who’s been bullying you :
I remember you told me I wouldn’t be able to finish the marathon, well, I did, and I even finished in first place 😏
Expressionless Face Emoji
The 😑 Expressionless Face emoji shows a face with flat, closed eyes and mouth.
People use it to express annoyance, frustration, or mild exasperation. This one is a no-brainer. Is a coworker annoying you or feeling frustrated with a coworker’s performance? Don’t use this emoji. It might make you look unprofessional. Share your thoughts and feelings with a calm mind, you’ll get better results that way!
How to use the 😑 Expressionless Face emoji:
Don’t use it at work, but if you want to show you’re annoyed at someone without being too literal about it, go ahead and use it:
You are asking me again about going with you to the store when I already said I cannot because I will do overtime 😑
She is saying the same thing when I ask her why she is always late for work 😑
Winking Face With Tongue Emoji
A 😜 Winking Face With Tongue emoji is a cartoon illustration of a winking face with a big grin and a tongue sticking out.
The symbol conveys a sense of wackiness, playfulness, cheekiness, silliness, etc. It’s like the 😬 Nervous emoji in that it’s okay to use at work in certain circumstances, like if you’re messaging a coworker you are close to. However, if you’ve got a strict and serious boss, he or she will not be amused if you post it.
How to use the 😜 Winking Face With Tongue emoji:
After turning my whole house upside down, looking for my passport, look at what I’ve got 😜 Childhood pics of us to post on social media!
I convinced the guard at the shop to let us in, even if it was closing time so we could buy last-minute ingredients for our family dinner. I bet you’ve never been able to act like that. 😜
Kiss Mark Emoji
The 💋 Kiss Mark emoji is a picture of a lip-shaped kiss mark made with pink or red lipstick.
People use it when they want to kiss someone, affectionately. Think of it as another version of “xoxo.” You’ll spot the symbol in conversations related to love, romance, sexiness, beauty, cosmetics, and sometimes, sexiness. Why should you not use it in the workplace? For reasons similar to the 😏 Smirking Face emoji -you don’t want to give people the wrong impression. A kiss is still a kiss, and if you post it at workplace chats or office emails, your colleagues might think you fancy them.
How to use the 💋 Kiss Mark emoji:
Keep the 💋 Kiss Mark emoji away from workplace communication, but if you want to use it in your personal social media accounts, then go for it!
I bought the cutest red lipstick at the store today, and I am so happy! #simplejoys 💋
Best of luck with your big exam today! I know I won’t be with you in person, so here is a 💋 for good luck.
Tongue Emoji
The 👅 Tongue emoji is a cartoon-style depiction of an open, smiling mouth with a pink tongue sticking out.
The 👅 Tongue emoji is a virtual version of the stick-your-tongue-out action we do in actual life. Why do we stick our tongue out? To provoke one another in a joking, teasing manner. Some use the symbol in a situation of rivalry with an opponent or to savor something delicious. Unless you work in the medical industry, a symbol like this just won’t fly in a formal workplace atmosphere.
How to use the 👅 Tongue emoji:
In case you didn’t get it the first time — refrain from using the 👅 Tongue emoji in office-related chats. But if you are not in the office, and in a cheeky mood, go at it!
I’ve been thinking of Chinese food the entire week 👅 I think it’s time to give it to my cravings and order it for lunch today!
I can’t wait to 💋 my boyfriend with 👅 His mouth always smells like 🍒
Devil Emoji
The 😈 Devil emoji or 😈 Smiling Face With Horns emoji shows a purple or red face with devil horns, a mischievous grin, angry eyes, and furrowed brows.
People use the 😈 Devil emoji to express glee at something bad or inappropriate. Other people post the emoji to show they are diabolical, or they approve of an idea that looks evil and funny to them. Think of it as the emoji version of the word “mwahaha.”
Do we need to explain why this is not appropriate for work? We each have a dark side, and a funny-naughty side, but we should let it out at the right time. Saying something nasty about anyone behind their back will bounce right back to you in due time.
How to use the 😈 Smiling Face With Horns emoji:
For the last time – stay away from the 😈 Devil emoji at work and mention nothing negative related to work on social media. But if you would like to show your devilish side through a personal text to a friend, here are a few examples on how to use the 😈 Devil emoji:
Anne asked me if I want to buy the essential oils she is selling, and for the fifth time this week, I said, 😈 no!
I am so bad, but storming my rude neighbor’s house with eggs makes me smile a little 😈
Eggplant Emoji
The 🍆 Eggplant emoji shows a bright purple eggplant with a leafy stem. The 🍆 Eggplant emoji has gone from being a favorite vegetable, to a symbol of the male sex organ. When did it start to be known this way? Based on an article in the journal American Speech, 🍆 Eggplant emoji appeared on Twitter as a symbol of a male private part as early as 2011.
In fact, in March 2014, video artist Jesse Hill translated Beyonce’s hit track “Drunk In Love” into emoji, using the 🍆 Eggplant emoji to symbolize Jay Z’s private part.
How to use the 🍆 Eggplant emoji:
If you don’t want to be in an HR situation, we strongly suggest you don’t use the emoji for work, even if you had a nice 🍆 frittata for lunch. But if you want to text your partner something spicy, we’ve got a few examples:
I can’t wait to go home and have fun with you 🍆
Someone asked me what I was having lunch, and I replied with a 🍆 and I don’t know why the person replied with a “hahaha!”
Peach Emoji
The 🍑 Peach emoji is a picture of a fleshy, pinkish-orange fruit with two green leaves and a short stem above it. You might think, I like peaches, what’s wrong with that? Nothing, really. But the 🍑 Peach emoji is also a nod towards anatomy — your derriere, to be exact, since its fuzzy, cleft appearance looks like a plump rear end. And topics involving your derriere, or someone else’s derriere, should not be a part of the workplace in any circumstance.
How to use the 🍑 Peach emoji:
We will say it again – stay away from the 🍑 Peach emoji at work at all times. But if you’d like to get a little naughty with your friends in your own space, here are two examples on how to use the 🍑 Peach emoji in a sentence:
I like to do a little 🍑 dance in the morning as part of my morning exercises.
One of my favorite movie moments is when Cameron Diaz’s character shakes her 🍑 in the “Charlie’s Angels” movie.
Related: 💋 Sex Emoji 101: Pump Up Your 🍑 Sexting Game Using Emojis!
Pile Of Poo Emoji
Description
The 💩 Pile Of Poo emoji shows a swirly lump of brown poop, shaped like soft-serve ice cream, with big excited eyes, and a large, friendly smile. This emoji conveys a sense of silliness because of its whimsy, cheerful expression. This symbol represents feces and other bathroom topics. The reason for not using this emoji at work is pretty self-explanatory. But, if you’re having a silly, playful conversation with family and friends, it’s a fun symbol to use.
How to use the 💩 Pile Of Poo emoji:
Here are a few examples on how to make it a part of your sentences:
I saw the movie “Hubie Halloween” on Netflix, and the movie was a load of 💩 I usually like Adam Sandler’s movies, but this one was terrible.
I miss going to the club. I’m in the mood for a little 💩💃💃if you know what I mean.
As always, keep your audience in mind when posting emojis in work-related emails and chats. Serious-minded coworkers and bosses might not appreciate you being so “extra,” and the flair you put in your texts or emails might even get you in trouble at work, so why not save those symbols for more appropriate situations.
Additional Essential Tips For Remote Workers
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We hope the previous section helped you figure out what emojis to use for work. As you know, working remotely isn’t just about using emojis. It involves other things like teamwork, organization, and time management.
To assist you with those, check out other tips we’ve provided to help make working at home a breeze.
Set Ground Rules With Video Conference Calls
Conference calls present unique communication barriers. These barriers go away when you do something about them, when people regularly in the call adhere to a set of best practices. Some of these guidelines can be, you can ask everyone to limit background noise, and to use the mute button when you’re not speaking. Or you can ask everyone to give a precise agenda before beginning the meeting to save everyone’s time.
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Communicate Clearly And Concisely
One of the major challenges of remote work is not being able to talk to your coworkers or boss face-to-face. Therefore it’s crucial to maintain clear and concise communication at all times. When typing a message, use short sentences and simpler words. Here’s a foolproof tip to help you decide if a message is safe to send or not. Before posting anything in a group or individual chat, read it to yourself and ask yourself this — if you were the one reading the message, would you find it offensive, and why? If you say yes to the question you asked yourself, you know what to do!
Manage Your Time Wisely
With so many distractions at home from family members and kids, it is important to begin each day with an action plan. Include in your action plan what needs to be done for the day, who is part of it, and what’s needed to succeed. Schedule all you need to do, and be realistic about it. Know what to prioritize, what to begin first, even if the task isn’t something you like.
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Create Your Own Workspace
One of the biggest challenges to working remotely is unplugging. Without a formal workspace, the boundary between home life and work life is blurry. Making a dedicated work area to separate your home space and your workspace will help you stick to the routine of working in the office space and being at home in your home space.
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Minimize Office Distractions
Communication is important for remote workers who need to keep a strong link to their team, but constant messages appearing in communication apps like Slack, Skype and WhatsApp disrupt your productivity flow and are unnecessary if the message is unrelated to you.
So, how do you keep the balance between maintaining high levels of communication and avoiding distractions? Use messaging apps with an integrated snooze mode. These modes hide message notifications when you’re busy, but also allow users to send important messages when it is urgent. Sometimes, you need to switch off for a while to focus on what you’re doing, without distractions, and these apps will help you do exactly that.
Conclusion
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To conclude, working remotely has its own set of ups and downs, from using the right emojis and avoiding the wrong emojis-like the Nervous emoji — to managing time wisely. It’s tempting to complain about the situation we are in; we’re human, after all. However, if we focus more on the negative than on the positive, it won’t help us much. So why not concentrate more on the good things in life?
One of those blessings is being able to work. Without a doubt, having a job in the middle of a pandemic is a big blessing. Therefore, when the going gets tough, we should always remember that no matter how hard our situation might be, there will always be someone dying to be in our place. That should be enough for us to be grateful.
We hope you enjoyed our article on emojis to avoid at work. If you feel we missed out on anything, please tell us what you think by dropping a line or two via our Contact Us section. We’d love to hear from you. In the meantime, stay safe, and take care!