((((Hedgehog))))
Or if you thought I needed a stronger hug, or you were feeling particularly huggy, you might do this:
((((((((((Hedgehog))))))))))
This gesture-by-text is widely understood, and has the effect of making the person feel hugged, so that one appropriate response is 'thank you'.
I think it's interesting that it has a personal object, not just the recipient as such, as is the case with a smiley, but a particular person specified by name. So, supposing my sister N had lost her phone, but is in the pub with a friend, it would be possible for me to transmit a hug by texting her friend as follows:
Please hand this to N: ((((N))))
which would probably result in the friend handing over the phone. Or if I merely sent this:
((((N))))
the friend might do the same, but would also have the option of physically hugging N on my behalf, although they would probably still show her the phone.
Here's a question: in cultures where it is usual to bow, or to put one's hands together, are there ways of transmitting these gestures textually? How, if so?
Interesting question. How about
ReplyDelete]]]H[[[ for a bow and
]]]]]H[[[[[ for a deeper bow?
or does this look more "bow-ey"?
>>>N<<<
Unless that appears to be more "namaste-y"...
There is a letter in cyrillic alphabet that looks this way:
ReplyDelete"Г". Wouldn't it be something for a bow?
ГГГГГГ(Insert)..
Oh bummer.
Do you think it'd be possible to flip it?
Never mind, found another one. Look:-))
┌┌┌┌┌(MsHedgehog)┐┐┐┐┐
Is the letter in the middle the person bowing, or the person bowed to? I think it's ambiguous, and maybe not necessary. With a hug it's clear, because the person is enclosed in the brackets, like arms.
ReplyDeleteI quite like just ][ for a bow.
What we really need is some input from our Japanese/Korean/Chinese friends. Anyone out there?