Some time ago we told you about the true meaning of emojis, because they are often used in a different sense than the one for which they were created. But even when you have learned the true meaning of the little drawings, you can still mess up by sending them to strangers who don’t interpret them at all like us. To prevent your friends on the other side of the world from hating you because you insulted them unintentionally, here is a small list of emojis that do not mean the same thing at all in other countries. Take it as a little lesson in diplomacy 2.0.
1. The smile emoji is negative in China
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In the vast majority of countries around the world, the good old “smiley smile” represents joy, benevolence, happiness. In short, that’s good. Well, avoid sending one to your best Chinese friend since, in his culture, the smile emoji is synonymous with contempt, distrust, falsehood. And at the same time, when you look at him well, it’s true that he looks contemptuous with his fake-ass smile, this smiley.
2. The clapping emoji refers to sex in China
In our countries, the emoji of the two clapping hands is used to… applaud your neighbour, to congratulate him or even to make fun of him. Whatever happens, it remains good child. In China, it has nothing to do: the emoji that applauds means making love. But why ? We ignore it. Maybe it’s the noise we make during the act? We are waiting for a real explanation.
3. The “hand sign” emoji is a sign of breaking up in China
When you see the cleverly arranged emoji below, what do you see? A hand waving hello, to say hello or goodbye? Normal. Finally, normal with us. Because in China, this emoji can have a slightly heavier meaning, that of a breakup, in love or friendship, or cruciate ligaments. No, forget the cruciate ligaments.
4. The smiling face with a halo has another meaning in the United States, Latin America or China
If there’s one emoji that symbolizes innocence and kindness, it’s this one. But on the American continent, it refers rather to prayer. In China, it has nothing to do: the halo emoji can mean death, even a death threat. Hello atmosphere.
5. The poo emoji means “good luck” in Japan.
In France, you can say “shit” to wish good luck, but the poo emoji just represents… excrement. Smiling, of course, but that’s all. In Japan, on the other hand, this emoji is really nice to wish the best to a friend. It’s a bit our “shit” to us, so we should steal them.
6. The “ok hand” emoji is insulting in several countries
This sign that we learn in diving schools has always meant “ok” with us, even “nickel chrome” when we are very satisfied. This is not the case in Brazil, for example, where this sign is the equivalent of a middle finger. On top of that, recently the sign has become a racist symbol in the United States after being used by white supremacists. Guys screwed up the meaning of a useful emoji and now Yanks can’t use it innocently. Not cool.
7. The thumbs-up emoji is insulting in Greece and the Middle East
There, without laughing, it’s hard to imagine that the thumbs up emoji could have other meanings than “I approve” or “ok cool” or even “cool for you I don’t give a shit”. However, in Greece and the Middle East, the thumbs up is an insult equivalent to the middle finger. That’s a corner of your mouth, huh?
8. The laughing crying emoji symbolizes embarrassment in China.
There’s no more MDR than an emoji crying with laughter in many countries, but, once again, it’s in China that we find a meaning that has nothing to do with it. There, the same emoji rather mimics an embarrassed reaction. If we don’t know, we can’t guess.
9. The “peace and love” emoji
With us: “peace man, everything is fine”even “I would like to order 2 Hawaiian pizzas please”
In England : ” kiss my ass “
10. Belgian flag emoji
For the whole world, it is the Belgian flag. For us, it is the seum of the Belgians.