Yerin Kim's listicle in Seventeen Magazine, How to Flirt Like a Pro, gives suggestions for complimenting and flattering romantic interests using emoji. The fire and chili pepper emoji are used to indicate that the receiver is good looking, while the drooling face implies that the receiver of the message is as wonderful as a meal that would make one salivate.
These emoji are used by digitally literate American English speakers of all ages-- not just teens and twenty-somethings. What's important for learners to note is that the emoji, like any overtly flirtatious or romantic language, are expected to be used judiciously. If such emoji were sent to someone who had already rejected the sender's advances, the emoji would impose upon the receiver, since the receiver might feel pressure to respond. If the sender and receiver were already in a close relationship, or had a history of consensual flirting and attraction in digital or in-person spaces (a form of casual closeness), it would not be surprising to see the emoji depicted above. The 🥵 (sweating red face) emoji is another used by American English speakers to indicate romantic interest. Furthermore, many language learners are surprised to find out that the peach and eggplant emoji should not be taken at face value when texting in American English, since they have overtly sexual meanings. While it can be uncomfortable for teachers to discuss these issues, it's important to ensure that language learners have the age-appropriate digital literacies they need to avoid embarassment (e.g., from communicating unintended meanings) in target-language communities.
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