Chinese Emoji (表情符号) Circles Globe

“Funny” , a made-in-China emoji, seems to have recently moved beyond china. Now, it is more than an emoji, but a cultural expansion.

A series of "funny" emoji-based bolsters（抱枕）have attracted the attention of Japanese customers. Even if one bolster is more than three times as expensive as in China, it doesn’t kill their desires to buy it. One Japanese customer Miki said, “They are just so cute and I bought three bolsters at one time. And every time I see them, my mood just brightens suddenly.” A Japanese netizen Kiro Kara said, “My dad will send it whenever he doesn’t agree with someone but he has to behave politely.”

One commonly seen online comment from Chinese netizens is, “Every time other people send me the wmoji, I feel very uncomfortable and consider myself as a fool.”

Released in 2013, the “funny” emoji is the updated version of its original one; “funny” has a smiley mouth, two eyebrows and a naughty look. All these characteristics present users a sense of satire (讽刺).

Earlier this year, one emoji from the Chinese basketball celebrity Yao Ming, who played in USA, has been spread through the Middle East region. In a city in Egypt, Yao’s smiling emoji has appeared in local traffic signs to remind people the road ahead is one-way.

As a new online language, emojis have been helping people express their views in a more vivid and precise way. Also, it can help foreigners learn about Chinese culture. But how to use “the fifth innovation (创新) in China” without hurting others and turn them into commercial advantages still need answers.

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson went camping in a mountainous area. They were lying in the open air under the stars. Sherlock Holmes looked up at the stars and whispered, “Watson, when you look at that beautiful sky, what do you think of?” Watson replied, “I think of how short life is and how long the universe has lasted.” “No, no, Watson!” Holmes said. “What do you think of?” Watson tried again. “I think of how small I am and how vast the sky is.” “Try again, Watson!” said Holmes. Watson tried a third time. “I think of how cold the universe is and how warm people can be in their beds.” Holmes said. “Watson, you fool! You should be thinking that someone has stolen our tent!”

Most of us lead a busy life. 【小题1】 We think, “If I reached my goal, then I would be happy.” or “If I could get a better job, then I would enjoy life.” But why not enjoy life right now?

Firstly, take time to notice and appreciate the beauty in your own surroundings (环境). 【小题2】 “There is a great big world of wonder and beauty around us!” And as Brodersen explains, “Look for the beauty of the sunrise and of a friend’s smile that brightens your day. Open your eyes to see the beauty you might not normally see. Doing so helps to cheer you up.”

Secondly, taking time to experience some simple pleasures also can bring joy to your heart and reduce your stress. Take me for example. 【小题3】 One universal simple pleasure is finding things that make you laugh. Make time to laugh every day.

Thirdly, don’t take your family and friends for granted. Rich, rewarding relationships add greatly to the enjoyment of life. When you think of someone, why not call, e­mail or write then? 【小题4】 As Wayne Lawton explains, “Invest (投入) time in relationships. Remove the attitude, what’s in it for me? Happiness is found in putting other’s interests, desires and concerns ahead of our own whenever possible. Selfishness (自私) is a dead­end street.”【小题5】