2018 Aug 24
Emojis – those little smileys that have often been the saviour of a great number of text/WhatsApp related social disasters.
Want to make a cutting remark but not be too explicit? Emoji!
Want to make a declaration of love but appear dismissive? Emoji!
While this is a common phenomenon all across this world, in Sri Lanka, we often have highly specific, localised uses of some of these bite-sized smileys. Check out exactly which emojis mean what below!
1. The laugh-crying 😂
This means someone either just murdered you with a great joke or you’ve just gotten into an argument with someone and they’ve said something hella dumb.
Either way, the ironic use of this smiley is usually reserved for bitter and acrimonious text exchanges. Needless to say, it’s best to avoid using them in that kind of context, unless, of course, the person you’re arguing with genuinely says something so stupid it makes you crack up. The next time you’re using this emoji, make sure it’s for when either of your parents crack a joke on your family’s WhatsApp group and you have unapproved plans for either that day or the next.
2. The “I sincerely hope you have a blessed life” smiley 🙂
Ahh, this one is a personal favourite.
Usually reserved for when your significant other does something that gets on your last damn nerve, recipients of these emojis know that there’s a life-sized picture of them somewhere covered in darts. Situations that warrant the use of this passive-aggressive emoji include when your SO doesn’t magically read your mind or avoids responding to your text messages for hours, with no valid reason.
Alternatively, it could also be used in those moments when you fact-check that annoying co-worker who keeps questioning your every move and idea. BYE FELICIA.
3. The eggplant (batu) 🍆
This is one of those emojis that really mean one thing for millennials/Gen Zs and something completely different to Sri Lankan aunties.
While it does function as the international hook-up emoji, it is used in Sri Lanka to inform guests about what delicacies they can expect for a special Sunday lunch your mother or aunt is hosting. You know there ain’t nothing quite like that batu moju with kaha bath, dude.
4. The standard sad-face 😔
Usually reserved for when you text your friends to tell them amma said no to your sleepover plans or when she texts your aunts to tell that them that you’ve still not found a “nice girl” to marry and that she wishes you would stop hanging with the “boys” so much.
Whatever the reason, you can expect these to be used in a wide variety of situations and really adds that extra touch of sadness to our very dramatic Lankan texts/WhatsApps.
5. The angry one 😡
This smiley basically indicates some next level anger. Like how you feel when your sibling eats the left-over Kottu you were thinking about all day, type anger. It’s also a great way to express your rage on being caught in school or work traffic on Galle Road, especially when you’re already late for something (are you even Lankan if you’re on time?!!).
Use this one sparingly to really give effect to that loud, red-hot rage we Sri Lankans are great at expressing – especially in the parliament and on the roads 😉
6. Green-faced sick emoji 🤢
If you’re not using this emoji to convey your projectile style food poisoning, then you’re definitely using it to lie and get out of something you don’t want to do.
That annoying family dinner you want to avoid? A reunion with old friends you now have little in common with? Religious obligations? WORK? This emoji is perfect to top off your fake “food poisoning” excuse.
7. The monkey 🙈
This is basically an accurate response to receiving some piping hot Sri Lankan tea – and not the drinking kind.
Appropriate moments to use this would be when you receive news that your ex’s new partner is giving them hell, hear family updates about how that stuck up aunt or uncle’s kid has messed up BIG or when you hear that new someone you’re flirting with tells you you’re hella cute. In short, this one is kind of versatile.
You can also use it when you want to deliver a fierce snapback but also appear super nonchalant.
8. 💃🎉🎈
It’s Friday night and you’re ready to party. That’s all.
