Beginner’s guide to emoji flirting: How to sext with the best
Eight in 10 Australians over 50 have never sexted a partner, according to the body+soulmates Sex Survey 2019 and part of the younger generation are not up-to-date on all the emoji meanings. Here’s a beginner’s guide on how to tap into the trend.
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A thing I never thought would happen has happened … I now feel sorry for people who didn’t meet online.
Until quite recently, people would lie like a Persian rug about having met in cyberspace — claiming a chance meeting at an art gallery or some other feigned movie-like encounter.
But now when people tell me they met through mutual friends, I can’t help but think: ‘Really? You didn’t want to branch out? Find someone who doesn’t already know all the same people as you do? You didn’t have any desire to look out into the world and see what else was out there?’
If you graduated before the internet was invented, mind you, modern dating can be a bizarre and overwhelming prospect — the swipes, the tokens, the profile pictures … no thank you very much, I think I’ll just stay home and watch Grand Designs.
But a recent study from the University of Zurich has given us all an internet-dating cheat sheet and the tricks within are far easier to pull off than you think.
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Why people who use emojis have more sex
The study of thousands of individuals showed signalling your interest via emojis (of all things!) can lead to more romantic opportunities, help maintain connection beyond the first date and — here’s the kicker — lead to more sexual interactions overall. Amazing where research dollars are going these days.
Still shaking your head and thinking you’d rather just wait until someone spots you across a crowded room? Online dating isn’t just acceptable in 2019, it’s completely self-sabotaging to denounce it. We were born with an innate desire to tether ourselves to others; who are you to deny your nature by cutting yourself off from a platform purpose-built to help you do just that? The Victorians had letter-writing and we have instant messaging. Which means you need to know how those pesky emojis work.
START WITH THESE
You’re no Luddite, so you can guess what the beginner emoticons mean...
Waving hand: The universal sign for ‘hi there!’
Winky face: A bit of playfulness, nothing more.
Spread both of these around like peanut butter. You can send them solo if you’re feeling lost for words or at the end of a message or question to add a little intrigue.
There are dozens of smiley faces and hand signals at your disposal and, once you get going, you’ll find the one that suits your personality best.
Using these early on in communications should set you up as fun, laid-back and happy-go-lucky — all the things literally everyone is looking for in a potential partner.
FINAL TIPS
While these may seem raunchy and even out of reach, knowing what’s on the final exam makes all the lessons before it that much easier to grasp. In the end, all you have to do is keep it simple.
One emoji at the end of a message conveys your tone, two or three amplifies the effect. Five is too many (unless someone got engaged, pregnant or arrested).
Also note the lion’s share of these are for one-on-one contact only … don’t go using the eggplant on social media. Also know that not every text interaction requires an emoji, but as the research has demonstrated — use them in the right measure and you’ll be one step closer to everlasting love.
Knowing all of this doesn’t mean you necessarily need to use it right away. But you’re now erudite enough to know that someone may appreciate a smiley face when you get home safe.
And that the fire emoji they send the next day doesn’t mean they want to burn all connections with you. And if someone sends you a taco emoji, you don’t respond with: ‘Great idea, let’s meet at that Mexican place in 10 minutes!’
It’s a brave new world. Don’t get left behind just because you refuse to add a little flair to your texting. Emojis are here to stay, so you might as well use them to your advantage. This is for-real, science-backed flirting. Who are you to resist?
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you agree with our survey results? Want to share your thoughts
on sex? Take part in our survey online at bodyandsoulmates.com.au